LOCATION, THE SNEAKY WAY
Even if you’ve denied location access, apps
might be able to infer it through Bluetooth
connections. A retail store, for instance, might
have Bluetooth beacon trackers to detect
people who have its app installed. Now, apps
must specially ask for that permission. (There
are exceptions when a music app, for instance,
wants to stream to headphones you’ve already
paired with the phone.)
Apps that have been updated for iOS 13 must
tell you specifically why they need Bluetooth.
Citi’s app, for instance, says it’s to enable after-
hours entry to ATM lobbies without pulling out
your card. You’re left guessing with older apps. If
you’re not sure, just say “no.”
Apple is also clamping down on apps’ ability to
infer your location by identifying nearby Wi-Fi
networks, which can be matched to location
databases. Apps that want that information
must already have location permission from
you or meet Apple’s criteria for needing that
information. This won’t affect your ability to use
apps over Wi-Fi, as that’s set up through your
phone, not the app.