Apple said: “Safari works to prevent advertisers and websites from using the unique combination of characteristics of your device to create a fingerprint to track you”, as reported by Times Now. It added that Safari shows a simplified device setup so that many devices look the same, making it harder for companies to track one specific person.
Safari privacy features
Apple warned that digital fingerprinting is becoming a big danger again after Google removed its ban on this tracking method. Fingerprinting works by collecting many unrelated details like browser type, fonts, operating system, and hardware info and turning them into one unique identity. Apple is not the first to fight fingerprinting; Mozilla has also added similar protections in Firefox.
Apple said Safari also brings AI-based tracking prevention, location-harvesting defenses, and strong private browsing protection, which Chrome fails to offer, as noted by Times Now. Apple even took a dig at Google, saying Safari works smoothly with Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Docs, so users don’t need Chrome for those. Apple said the warning is not just for Chrome but also for other Google apps on iPhone.
Google tracking risks
Apple again stressed on its website that Safari hides your device identity by showing a generic “phone” identity to trackers, so millions of iPhones look the same, as cited by news reports.Apple stated on its site: “Safari presents a simplified version of the system configuration so more devices look identical to trackers, making it harder to single yours out.”
Apple said Safari uses built-in AI to block tracking, protects private browsing, and does not share your location, while Chrome lacks these protections. Google can still track you even when you use Safari because most people use Google Search, and the search page shows a large blue button saying “Try Google App”, as reported by India.com. If a user clicks that button by mistake, the Google app opens and collects even more personal data, more than Chrome, and links it to your identity.
Apple warned users to never click the blue button, saying the Google app gathers too much personal information. Chrome still has over 3 billion users worldwide, but Apple says people continue to use it despite the risks. Apple’s recommended solution is very simple: use Safari instead of Chrome or any Google app for safer and more private browsing.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Apple telling iPhone users to stop using Chrome?
Apple says Chrome does not protect privacy well and Safari blocks tracking and fingerprinting better.
Q2. What is digital fingerprinting on iPhones?
It is a method that collects many small details from your device to create a unique ID that websites can use to track you.