The Weekly Breach Breakdown: Dear Journal, Am I Discoverable? – iPhone Journal App Makes Device Discoverable

• Apple recently launched iOS 17.2, introducing the new iPhone journal app designed to help users capture and reflect on their day-to-day experiences.
• By default, the “Discoverable by Others” setting is enabled in the journal app, which makes your phone, and potentially your personal information, discoverable to other devices.
• Select your iPhone settings, find Privacy & Security, and tap Journaling Suggestions to turn off the feature. Even if this option is disabled, the discoverability feature will still be enabled until you turn it off.
• While the journal app iPhone implemented is a great tool for capturing and reflecting on your experiences and thoughts, it’s essential to be aware of its privacy implications.
• To learn about the latest data compromises, consumers and businesses should visit the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) data breach tracking tool, notified. 
• If you believe you are the victim of an identity crime, contact the ITRC. Call or text toll-free at 888.400.5530 or live chat on the company website, idtheftcenter.org.

Dear Journal, Am I Discoverable?

Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for April 19, 2024. Thanks to Sentilink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we discuss the new iPhone journal app, which could leave your information vulnerable.

New iPhone Journal App

Apple recently launched iOS 17.2, which introduces the new iPhone Journal app, designed to help users capture and reflect on their day-to-day experiences. The journal app iPhone launched uses machine learning to provide personalized suggestions to users. However, there is one potential problem.

iPhone Journal App Leaves Your Device Discoverable

By default, the “Discoverable by Others” setting is enabled in the journal app, which makes your phone, and potentially your personal information, discoverable to other devices. The new iPhone journal app uses Bluetooth to detect the number of devices and contacts around you, which in turn helps it to prioritize and improve your suggestions. The idea behind this feature is to help you capture special moments when you’re out with friends and family. However, the default setting for the discoverability feature being turned on for all journal app users could lead to privacy concerns.

How to Disable the iPhone Journal App

If you’re uncomfortable with your phone being discoverable by others, manually disable the “Discoverable by Others” setting in the Journaling Suggestions privacy setting. Go to your iPhone settings, find Privacy & Security, and tap Journaling Suggestions. Even if this option is disabled, the discoverability feature will still be enabled until you turn it off.

It’s important to note that the “Discoverable by Others” setting does not reveal or share your personal information or journal content with other iPhone users. Apple uses this feature solely for prompting purposes. However, we recommend turning off this feature if you’re still concerned about privacy. While the journal app iPhone implemented is a great tool for capturing and reflecting on your experiences and thoughts, it’s essential to be aware of its privacy implications.

Contact the ITRC

If you want to know more about how to protect your business or personal information, the iPhone journal app or think you have been the victim of an identity crime, you can speak with an expert ITRC advisor on the phone, via text, chat live on the web, or exchange emails during our normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. PST). Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.

Thanks again to Sentilink for their support of the ITRC and this podcast. If you have not done so, check out our last Weekly Breach Breakdown podcast, where we break down our Q1 2024 Data Breach Analysis. You can download a copy by visiting www.idtheftcenter.org/publications. Also, don’t miss our sister podcast, the Fraudian Slip with the Internal Revenue Service on tax scams and identity fraud. We will return next week with another episode of the Weekly Breach Breakdown.