After a little privacy snafu last month around the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro still tracking location data even when users had turned off location services, Apple has added a toggle specifically for the UWB chip in the latest iOS 13.3.1 beta.
Apple explained that it’s because the new phones, including the non-pro iPhone 11, use an ultra wideband chip that still isn’t universally approved. The devices need to perform regular location checks, so it can switch off the chip where it can’t legally be used.
While Apple emphasized that the company isn’t collecting location data and that the UWB checks take place “entirely on the device,” it promised to roll out a dedicated toggle for the chip to assuage people’s fears. YouTube creator Brandon Butch has spotted that feature in the latest iOS 13.3.1 beta.
So iOS 13.3.1 beta 2 does have a new toggle to disable Ultra Wideband. pic.twitter.com/Tswt7V5GMV
— Brandon Butch (@BrandonButch) January 17, 2020
The new toggle marked “Networking & Wireless” is found under System Services in Locations Services, which, in turn, is found in Privacy Settings. It looks like switching it off triggers a prompt that says “Turning off location for Networking & Wireless may affect Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ultra Wideband performance.”
