Wired
In iOS14.5, we found that warnings when trying to access websites suspected of being phishing scams in Safari are displayed based on Apple’s own database, independent of Google information.
Change from dependence on Google to Apple’s own
In Safari on iOS and iPad OS, if “Scam website warning” is turned on, a warning will be displayed when trying to access a website suspected of being a phishing scam that steals user information.
In the past, Safari used the information that Google automatically patrolled websites to warn of dangerous websites. Google doesn’t know the URL of the website that the user tried to visit in Safari, but it can collect the user’s IP address information.
But with iOS 14.5, it’s independent of Google’s data, and Apple’s own database will alert users when needed.
Othermaciej, Apple’s head of WebKit, described the change on Twitter “to reduce the risk of information leaks.”
This article is a bit confused on the details of how Safe Browsing works, but in the new iOS beta, Safari does indeed proxy the service via Apple servers to limit the risk of information leak. Https://t.co/TlDZNMO8do
— Othermaciej (@othermaciej) February 11, 2021
Reddit has posted screenshots showing communication with “proxy.safebrowsing.apple”, and MacRumors also confirmed the existence of URLs such as “safebrowsing.g.applimg.com” and “token.safebrowsing.apple”. It is reported that it was done.
Part of strengthening privacy protection
This change is considered part of an effort to enhance the protection of user privacy.
Apple has announced that it will introduce a mechanism in the spring of 2021 that requires user permission if apps and websites track users.
Facebook has strongly opposed Apple’s efforts to strengthen privacy protection and is preparing a lawsuit, and Twitter has also revealed that it is expected to have an impact on profits.
Source: MacRumors
(hato)
Source: iPhone Mania