Apple’s New iOS Feature for People in Abusive Relationships Is Called Safety Check

Bianca Patrick
3 min readJun 13, 2022

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Apple revealed a new Safety Check feature for iOS 16 on Monday, targeted towards those who are in abusive situations. Users may examine and reset who has access to location information, passwords, messages, and other applications on an iPhone using this function.

Unveiling of the “Safety Check” Feature

Apple introduced the function during its annual WWDC conference. Phones may become surveillance devices in abusive relationships, with capabilities that might be useful in certain situations but provide harmful information to abusers. This is particularly true when victims attempt to escape their abusers, which experts believe is the most hazardous period for survivors.

The Safety Check function, in addition to turning off location sharing, resets your privacy settings on applications and prevents access to your communications, restricting iMessage and FaceTime sessions to your device alone. It also asks you to change your Apple ID password, which will prevent anybody else from accessing your iCloud account or any sensitive data saved there. It also allows you to go through your emergency contacts.

Domestic abuse survivors, according to experts, must balance several technological issues as they seek a way out and eventually escape an abusive relationship. If an abusive spouse has access to one’s online browser history, even seeking for domestic abuse services might put one at danger. Cutting off access to personal data shared with an abuser, on the other hand, may provoke that person to intensify intimidation or violence, thus survivors must have a safety plan in place when considering whether or not to withdraw access. Finally, location data may assist abusers in locating victims after they have fled.

Safety Check may revoke access that you’ve authorized to a partner or family member on purpose. Resetting your Apple ID password will almost certainly stop any tracking software that your abusive spouse has installed without your knowledge. Tracking software, often known as stalkerware, is meant to intercept location information, texts, and online searches, although it normally works only on iPhones if the abuser knows the target’s iCloud password.

Apple collaborated with domestic abuse prevention organizations such as the National Network to End Domestic Violence, the Women’s Services Network, and the National Center for Victims of Crime to create the feature.

Apple Is Under Fire

Apple has been chastised for the effect its technology may have on survivors of domestic violence. AirTag, for example, is a tiny, easy-to-hide location data sharing gadget that supporters argue might be used to monitor someone. Apple has responded to these complaints by creating an app that allows Android users to detect nearby AirTags (previously only iPhone users could do so), as well as warning AirTag users that stalking people is illegal and that Apple will provide personal information tying them to a specific AirTag to law enforcement if asked.

The Silicon Valley tech giant has also altered the warning noises that the devices make to tell individuals that an AirTag is close, with the purpose of making them more helpful to anyone who may be targeted with an unwelcome gadget.

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Bianca Patrick
Bianca Patrick

Written by Bianca Patrick

Bianca is a content creator & a passionate blogger. She is a professional tech blogger & an avid reader. She loves to explore topics related to tech.

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