Apple changed Face ID apps policy and prevented an expected privacy disaster

Apple’s iPhone X is considered one of the most innovative gadgets of the year 2017. Its super retina OLED display and Face ID sensors make it unique from its competitors. However, iPhone X’s Face ID has also faced some intriguing circumstances where it has been challenged by some security researchers and even common people. While some researchers have already created an app that shows you exactly how much facial data is Apple making available to developers. That’s why Apple has moved to make some policy changes for its Face ID app developer guidelines.

As Apple has assured everyone that any biometric information gleaned from a face scan will be stored locally on a user’s phone, and instead of some large cloud database. However, the third-party developers would have access to a considerable amount of your face data including mood expressions, and other potential threats to a user’s privacy. It could also be used for marketing purposes, or something more dreadful.

Also Read: This 10-year-old child can fool Face ID of his mother’s iPhone X

Apple’s spokesperson, Tom Neumayr while expressing his serious concerns about this issue said,

“We take privacy and security very seriously. This commitment is reflected in the strong protections we have built around Face ID data—protecting it with the Secure Enclave in iPhone X – as well as many other technical safeguards we have built into iOS. [Apple requires] that developers ask a user’s permission before accessing the camera, and that apps must explain how and where this data will be used.”

It is also expected that when other smartphones manufacturer will adapt to Face ID, the problem is going to be a lot much bigger, as other operating systems are not much secure as compared to iOS. Some third-party apps will certainly have an advantage as the feature goes live for other devices to a larger extent.

Some researchers believe that Apple has actually opened the gates of privacy abuses from marketers, and declared a hunting period on your facial expressions with the iPhone X. However, it’s what’s coming next that should concern us all.