In iOS 26.3, Apple introduced a new privacy feature which limits “precise location” data made available to cellular networks via cell towers. The feature is only available to devices with Apple’s in-house modem introduced in 2025. The announcement1 says https://support.apple.com/en-us/126101 ↩
    • adarza@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      24 hours ago

      we’re safe from that particular method here in the boonies. we’re lucky to even have one tower from any provider within range anywhere around here.

      • Munkisquisher@lemmy.nzEnglish
        15·
        22 hours ago

        Not with a bit of data processing. With one tower they can figure out how far away you are. They can track that over time and cross reference that with road layouts when you are moving at highway speeds. Knowing the signal will appear to slow down when you are moving parallel to the cell tower and faster when you are travelling towards or away. Modern antenna designs are also reasonably directional with a tower having banks that point out to cover different quadrants. They know what bank of antennas is facing you.

  • Schwim Dandy@piefed.zipEnglish
    131·
    1 day ago

    Apple made a good step in iOS 26.3 to limit at least one vector of mass surveillance, enabled by having full control of the modem silicon and firmware. They must now allow users to disable GNSS location responses to mobile carriers, and notify the user when such attempts are made to their device.

    It seems like the vendor can disable this leak. If we ever get a well-rounded linux OS phone, I imagine this will be moot for those on that platform.