Apple’s iOS 18 is packed with new features and changes, with a focus on visual enhancements like a redesigned Control Center and the upcoming Apple Intelligence. But beneath the surface lies a more subtle adjustment – a modification to the Contact Sync feature that has sparked debate.
Contact Sync, for the uninitiated, ensures your contact list remains consistent across all your Apple devices. It’s also crucial for many apps, especially social media platforms. When you log into these apps, you’re often asked to grant access to your contact list. This allows the app to identify your friends and family who are already using the service, as well as recommend other users you might want to follow. This is generally a win-win scenario for both users and app developers.
However, Apple, with its focus on user privacy, has shaken things up. Starting with iOS 18, if you agree to share your contacts with an app, a second message prompts you to choose which contacts you want to share. This means you can either share your entire list as before or select only specific contacts. Apple argues this prioritizes user privacy by giving users more control over who has access to their contact data. It’s no longer an all-or-nothing proposition.
While this change offers users greater control, some developers are concerned about its potential impact. Nikita Bier, a startup founder and advisor, believes this change could be detrimental to new social apps, potentially rendering them “dead on arrival.” Some argue that Apple’s move might be a way to stifle competition, especially since Apple’s own apps aren’t subject to the new Contact Sync limitations.
The impact of this change on app development and user experience remains to be seen. While some, like 9to5Mac’s Ben Lovejoy, believe it could actually encourage more developers to share information due to the selective access option, others fear it will make it harder for new apps to gain traction. For well-established social networks like Facebook and Twitter, the impact might be less significant due to their already vast user data.
Ultimately, Apple’s change is a step towards giving users greater control over their personal data. While the long-term consequences for app development remain uncertain, it’s a positive development for users who value privacy and want more granular control over how their information is shared.
