iOS 17, macOS Sonoma to automatically remove ‘link trackers’

Both iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, Apple’s newest updates to their computer and mobile operating systems, will automatically remove link tracking on websites.

The feature is called Link Tracking Protection and will be activated in Apple’s Messages, Mail, and Safari Private Browsing services.

Photo from Apple’s Newsroom

The new feature was highlighted in Apple’s Newsroom portal, as stated below:

“Some websites add extra information to their URLs in order to track users across other websites. Now this information will be removed from the links users share in Messages and Mail, and the links will still work as expected. This information will also be removed from links in Safari Private Browsing.”

Other notable security features in the two new updates include Sensitive Content Warnings appearing when users receive unwanted nude images in Messages, AirDrop, or FaceTime; advanced tracking and fingerprinting protections, and Privacy Browsing automatically locking when not in use.