All articles tagged with #push notifications
Samsung’s Device Care app update to version 13.8.80.7 adds Intelligent Blocking to analyze push notifications and mute apps that flood users with ads; blocked apps can be unblocked in Device Care settings. The feature targets One UI 8.5 devices like the Galaxy S26 series, with older app versions available via sideloading and a gradual official rollout expected over the coming weeks.
Apple fixed a security flaw that allowed push notifications to retain content from deleted Signal messages, potentially letting authorities access encrypted chats even after deletion. The bug stemmed from a logging issue that failed to redact data; after updating, affected notifications are deleted and future notifications for deleted apps won’t be preserved. Signal praised the quick fix and users are advised to review notification previews for extra privacy.
Apple released iOS 26.4.2 to fix a security flaw in its notification database that could let law enforcement access data from deleted push notifications on iPhone and iPad; the update adds improved data redaction and covers devices from iPhone 11 onward and several iPad models; the issue surfaced after reports that the FBI used a tool to read locally stored Signal notifications even after deletion, prompting Signal to welcome the patch and advise users to limit content in notifications; privacy advocates note vulnerabilities in both cloud routing and local storage, but Apple’s fix aims to make deleted notifications inaccessible.
Google apologized after an automated push notification linked to BAFTA coverage included an offensive racial slur. Google said a system misapplied a term found on several pages to the notification, and that no AI was involved, with safety filters failing to trigger. The incident amplifies debates about automation in journalism and echoes past AI-related missteps in media.
Nearby Glasses is an Android app that scans for Bluetooth Low Energy signatures from smart-glasses makers (Meta, Luxottica, Snap) and notifies you when someone wearing smart glasses is nearby; it may misidentify mixed-reality headsets as glasses, and an iOS port is in development. The piece also notes privacy concerns about inconspicuous cameras and Meta's planned Name Tag facial-recognition feature for Ray-Ban/Oakley glasses.
Apple's Wallet ad controversy highlights ongoing issues with app store compliance and user trust, especially regarding push notification practices that often violate guidelines and erode user confidence, leading to frustration and calls for better notification management APIs.
Apple sent a promotional push notification about Fandango's discount for 'F1: The Movie' via the Wallet app to some iPhone users, causing complaints due to its intrusive nature and potential violation of Apple's guidelines, especially since users did not explicitly opt in for such marketing messages. An upcoming iOS 26 feature will allow users to opt in or out of promotional offers in the Wallet app, but current users on iOS 18 received the ad without explicit consent.
Apps like TikTok, Facebook, and others are using push notifications to scrape personal data from iPhones without user consent, potentially tracking user activities across iOS. The only known solution to stop this tracking is to disable push notifications for all apps, but this may come at the cost of missing important alerts. The security research duo Mysk has demonstrated how apps take advantage of a loophole in iOS push notifications to send data analytics to their servers, raising concerns about data privacy and security.
Security researcher Tommy Mysk has revealed that popular iPhone apps like TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Bing are using push notifications to covertly send user data, exploiting a feature intended for notification customization. This practice allows apps to bypass iOS restrictions on background activities, potentially compromising user privacy. The data being sent includes unique device signals for fingerprinting and tracking users across different apps. Apple is taking steps to address this issue, including requiring developers to justify access to APIs often used for fingerprinting, in line with its efforts to strengthen user privacy.
Apple has updated its "Legal Process Guidelines" to acknowledge that government and law enforcement agencies can request push notification information. Previously, Apple and Google were unable to disclose this due to restrictions by the US government. However, a restriction was recently removed, allowing Apple to include this data in its transparency report. The next report, covering the second half of 2022, will provide details on government requests for customer data.
US Senator Ron Wyden has revealed that the US government and other foreign governments are tracking phone users through push notifications on Apple and Google devices. The information is sent to a server, which then sends out the notifications, potentially revealing location data. Wyden is calling for Apple and Google to be allowed to publicly discuss this surveillance practice and notify customers about demands for their data. Both companies have expressed their commitment to transparency in reporting these requests.
Apple has updated its Legal Process Guidelines to include its legal obligation to comply with law enforcement requests for Apple ID information associated with its push notification service. This comes after revelations that governments are using smartphone notification data for user surveillance. Apple and Google have confirmed that they have been subject to requests for user information related to push notifications from both foreign and U.S. government agencies. The data is being used to link anonymous users of messaging apps to specific Apple or Google accounts.
Unspecified governments have been requesting mobile push notification records from Apple and Google users, potentially allowing them to spy on individuals of interest, according to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Push notifications pass through the infrastructure of Apple and Google, giving the companies visibility into how their customers use apps and the ability to provide this information to governments. Both Apple and Google have confirmed receiving such requests, but the information about these practices is restricted from public release by the U.S. government, raising concerns about transparency. The U.S. is among the governments seeking notification data, and Apple and Google have been urged to disclose whether they facilitate this practice, publish aggregate statistics about demands received, and notify specific customers about data requests.
The US government and foreign law enforcement agencies can demand that Apple and Google share metadata associated with push notifications from apps on iOS and Android, according to court records and US Senator Ron Wyden. Push notifications can reveal which apps a person uses, providing information that may be relevant to law enforcement investigations. Law enforcement must first obtain the relevant push token from an app developer and then request information from Apple or Google to identify a person of interest. While the content of push notifications is not included in this information, additional requests could potentially provide access to specific push content. Apple has updated its transparency report to reflect government requests for push notification records, while Google includes these requests in its transparency reports.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has warned that foreign governments are spying on smartphone users by compelling Apple and Google to provide push notification records. These records, which include information about app usage and unencrypted text displayed in notifications, can be accessed by governments, both foreign and domestic. Wyden called for transparency from Apple and Google regarding the legal demands they receive, particularly from foreign governments. Both companies have expressed a commitment to keeping users informed about requests for push notification records.