In response to market claims that iPhone models upgraded to iOS 13 will transmit the websites users browse to Tencent, Apple responded earlier that it has added a fraudulent website warning function to the mobile version of Safari browser. Its operating mechanism is that before the user actually connects to the browsing website, the IP address used by the website will be sent to the cooperation mechanism for inspection to confirm whether it is a fraudulent website, thereby confirming whether the user's connection to the website is safe.
However, since this checking mechanism mainly cooperates with Google to obtain the list of fraudulent websites, and since China cannot directly access Google services, it will cooperate with Tencent. When the device is set to China, the IP address used to browse the website will be sent to Tencent's server for comparison. Even if the location is set to Hong Kong or Taiwan, it will not be affected. The IP address will only be checked for safety through Google services.
Therefore, Apple emphasizes that this mechanism does not involve privacy infringement, and even the only data transmitted is the IP address. It does not record the content of the pages users browse, nor does it know the details of the device used by the user. It simply compares whether the IP address used by the linked website is on the Jinggao list.
If users still have concerns, Apple also stated that the check mechanism can be turned off manually, but this will result in one less layer of protection against fraudulent websites.
