Apple's iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 will randomize MAC addressesWhat you need to know
Apple's iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 will be able to randomize devices' MAC addresses.
Apple says it will help with user privacy.
But this will need to be disabled in some network settings.
It's an interesting move, but a potentially problematic one.
Apple will release iOS 14, iPad 14, and watchOS 7 to the public later this year and developers are already testing them out. Apple has also published some support documentation for the updates ahead of time with one tidbit proving particularly interesting. All three of those updates will be able to randomize a device's MAC address to help maintain user privacy.
Spotted by Stephen Hacket at 512 Pixels, the support document explains that while a MAC address is a great way to identify a device, that identification also makes it perfect for tracking users.
To communicate with a Wi-Fi network, a device must identify itself to the network using a unique network address called a media access control (MAC) add...
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Apple's iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and watchOS 7 will randomize MAC addresses
