How Apple Private Relay Kills Data Profiling

[@ReneRitchie]

☎️ SAVE with rene.ting.com and get a $25 service credit! 🛡 If you turn on a VPN or other form of proxy, Private Relay gets turned off (details in the video!) 🤔 Will you be trying out iCloud Private Relay?

[@paulmontgomery4696]

Once up and running, will Apple's Private Relay work on Intel based Macs (e.g. Mac Mini 2018) running Safari in the current version of MacOS ("Monterey" or whatever's current and supporting the hardware cited as my example?

[@paulmontgomery4696]

My wife has mentioned switching back to an Android (Samsung Galaxy) since she had to replace her phone a couple of years ago after a smash and grab from our family car while parked at the picture show. It was the end of summer and shortly after she got her XR as a replacement the iPhone 11s were dropped. I proudly didn't carry any cell phone from 2014 to 2020, just always using hers on those rare occasions I was on call. I steered her towards going back to iPhone (our oldest son went total Bam-Bam on her old 5C before the Galaxy purchase), which made sense with so many of her friends and family remaining on the Apple platform. When I'm at home, I'm on my Mac. Whether still clunking around on my 2006-09 laptops or my then "like" new family computer (Mac Mini 2018). In the nearly two years since, we've picked up an Apple TV and she also forced me back into the cellular age. I wanted the 2nd gen SE when it was released because of the smaller form factor than her iPhone XR. The size on any brand of cell/"smart" phone just seemed to have grown way to big in my time peacefully spent on the cellular sidelines. But the service provider sold me on a 256Gb iPhone 11 Pro (also smaller than the X), and it has really brought more joy to me life than I was having without any cell phone at all (which was primarily due to not being in private practice having to answer client calls every few hours throughout a 24hr day :). For me the Photos App and the AI Apple puts into their phones, iCloud, and range of products has almost convinced me at times that I'm a "pro photographer." At least not a lousy one anyways. At home during COVID and now recently with my boys back in baseball, videoing them (and our new baby girl) not only captures good memories but has also helped them develop their fundamentals and baseball mechanics. Android is just fine but for me Apple just works. Therefore, we'll be trying out iCloud Private Relay.

[@1drummer172]

iCloud Private Relay, here I come!

[@jua7265]

Not necessarily. Private Relay is ‘on’ and so is my VPN connection ‘on’ as I write this from an iPhone.

[@highlatitude64.84]

So what you’re saying is, it’s Homekit for Safari..

[@anubhavsolankey]

As a long time android user who for last 9 yrs was finding reasons to switch to iOS, I think I finally found it

[@anubhavsolankey]

@@demingjr will make the switch with 13 or 12S or whatever they are gonna call it. Just hoping real hard that they make the notch smaller if they are still gonna keep it

[@ReneRitchie]

Oh, wow, getting in on iPhone 12 or waiting for the next one?

[@recursivefunk]

Same. I'm waiting for the next iPhone then I'm gone.

[@bwnunley27]

Same, getting the next iPhone. I've only owned Samsung phones.

[@smren]

In december I finally did it with my computer and phone. From S9 Plus + an Acer laptop to M1 MB Air + iPhone 12 🥰

[@Sambeck63]

Thank you! Seriously, I’ve been waiting for somebody to report on this intelligently… And you have a way of cutting through the BS that is so refreshing!

[@michaelsoos6986]

Apple has solved a major data privacy leak, which should have never been their problem to solve! There is good in the world. I wonder if the ISPs will take note?

[@dbsirius]

Not really. If you've logged into a site, you've still got the problem.

[@rogerunderhill4267]

@@nikhilk2809 browsers use cookies etc, so they still know who we are. They just don’t know your IP address. We would need to do some additional housekeeping to be as private as we might want.

[@TheNameOfJesus]

@@nikhilk2809 As long as you log in to websites, you negate the value of Private Relay. In theory you could access KZbin without logging in, but you wouldn't be able to post comments. Your access to many websites is limited if you don't "log in to identify yourself."

[@toadlguy]

@@dbsirius This is not trying to solve that issue. Theoretically if you are giving a site your identity, they are responsible for informing you of their privacy policies and what they do with your data (including use of cookies). This is helping fix the grey market in tracking users that even your ISP is probably involved with as well as applying your identity to sites where you DON'T give them your identity.

[@bradyperkins4882]

@@toadlguy Exactly. This could theoretically, in conjunction with other measures, be used to minimize your identity on a website. Where I think this will be more useful is blocking those parties outside the website from peeping in. Ofcourse, nothing will be perfect. But it seems like a good layer of privacy from say, your ISP.

[@Reform3d]

I’ve watched countless videos from other KZbinrs that are sponsored by VPN companies and none of them have made a better easily digestible and more persuasive case for online privacy and the necessity of VPNs as Rene just did in the first 3+ minutes of this video. This is why I subscribed a long while back. Rene is the best!

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

I agree, but would like to remind you that you always need to trust your VPN provider not to sell your data. They know who you are AND who you connect to. Apple doesn't.

[@Reform3d]

@@knowlegeisgood8735 Oh i know. I’ve heard the scandals about the VPN services that have sold their customer data, regardless of whether they promised they wouldn’t do so. It’s definitely upsetting.

[@TheNameOfJesus]

@@Reform3d Google has a VPN, but I'm not aware if Google exploits that for its own tracking benefit.

[@kyto4801]

I have a question does it work for past search history when you weren’t using it?

[@christopherwarsh]

What’s worse is that the “tailored ads” has never worked for me. 90% of them aren’t relevant, 9% are of products I JUST BOUGHT, and 1% might pique my interest. None from legit small business (I point this out because Mark Zuckerbot can stop crying a river about how it hurts small businesses when it really doesn’t).

[@floofy5529]

Agreed. Random ads work much better for me than targeted. Even for KZbin algorithm. It just gives me thing I'm already tired of watching. Nothing intelligent of what I want to watch next.

[@TheNameOfJesus]

Even if just 1% of all ads triggered a sale, that's an amazing success rate.

[@Hiddeny.2044]

@@TheNameOfJesus not according to the customer. He thinks it’s annoying and a waste of the time 99% of the time.

[@kbhasi]

That's interesting, because when I get tracked by advertisers, I just get advertisements for products and services I cannot afford! I sometimes wish I could force the marketing teams of those companies to give me their advertised products for free in exchange for blocking my advertising IDs from the ad platforms they use, but I am able to fend off those thoughts. With tracking disabled, the irrelevant adverts just amuse me and I can go about my day. Only issue is that Facebook hides the option to disable tracking on their ad platform, so I hope I can find a way to route all Facebook traffic through a VPN.

[@bletwort2920]

I have the complete opposite experience. Tailored ads always work for me like when I get an ad for a new case for a new phone that I bought or discounts on items that I’ve wishlisted on Amazon. Non-targeted ads are horrible. I was getting ads for some psychiatrist shit again and again. Then I was getting ads for YT videos from small local KZbinrs I didn’t know and had no interest in. I was like who are these people I don’t want to see these please leave me alone. Please go away. I felt so helpless I wanted to cry. I was somehow unable to turn on personalised ads on KZbin so I finally bought YT premium. Non-targeted ads really scare me now.

[@ConorORegan]

I’ve been looking forward to your perspective on this! I love how Apple is prioritising security and digital privacy!

[@ReneRitchie]

Thanks so much, will you be test driving Private Relay?

[@ConorORegan]

@@ReneRitchie I got iCloud+ specifically for that

[@prepped8551]

@@ConorORegan You "got" iCloud+? is it available yet?

[@ConorORegan]

@@prepped8551 I’m on the iOS 15 beta which automatically upgrades my iCloud plan

[@GeometryDashCyber7]

@@ConorORegan same, safari is pretty slow right now but they need to drop beta 2 already it’s clean otherwise

[@MrKevosmin]

Pokémon themed WHAT

[@ReneRitchie]

One-Z?

[@christopherwarsh]

I don’t see the problem with a Pikachu Onesie…. Or the catalog… or the closet that houses the whole collection…

[@malypavel25]

@@ReneRitchie to be honest there would be worse things than that 😂

[@osmandius]

Hahahahahahahahahaha

[@omaribbrahim]

His interest in Pokémon is sus

[@nyrican4t]

Another reason I’m an Apple enthusiast!

[@realtimestatic]

Laughs in csam detection

[@thetangentshow4797]

The increase in apple changing a software basic function echos of “NeXT” in a good way.

[@synonys]

Thanks for intelligently reporting on this. Other media outlets glance over topics like this.

[@willmarklew9612]

Thanks Rene for giving this update. Apple just does it again and makes me fall so hard for their ecosystem. Keep up the great work, your videos like this should be public service announcements!

[@davidcohen8866]

Even though I haven’t touched code in a long time, I found myself enrolling in the iOS 15 developer program just so I could use this feature

[@fledgling5616]

Why do you have to be a developer to use it?

[@dabenci42]

@@fledgling5616 to get it early

[@hsvr]

@qwertzuiop what do you mean

[@ThreeTwentyTech]

Honestly, the less digital footprints I leave behind, the more comfortable I'll be using the internet.

[@Megasuite20]

This was one of the new features that intrigued me most.

[@iquiteverything7922]

Apple is the only thing holding my life together I can’t explain how perfect apple are

[@IvdW_]

The Pikachu thing definitely made me chuckle, good one!

[@tivomikeshow2080]

This was very helpful--I am more excited about Apple's new feature now. Thank you, Rene!

[@ReneRitchie]

Thanks for watching! Any other features you're feeling?

[@nobody9706]

@@ReneRitchie could you do a video on how to prevent bugs and viruses in iOS/iPadOS?

[@iamsaurabhsaha]

You Pikachu You 😂😂😂 Epic!

[@ReneRitchie]

No judgement, right?!

[@iamsaurabhsaha]

@@ReneRitchie ofcourse!

[@elliotalderson6769]

Best line from the video lol

[@TechSpecsYT]

Great explanation Rene! Love these breakdowns of complicated things!

[@ReneRitchie]

Thanks so much, what would you like to see next?

[@bwnunley27]

So, when you use anything related to Google you lose all privacy provided by Apple?

[@TechSpecsYT]

@@ReneRitchie honestly I would be happy with whatever you provide, your videos are amazing no matter the topic haha 👏

[@allupinyomine]

YES

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

@@bwnunley27 Yup. KZbin is the only Google property I use. I wish we had a good alternative.

[@ayaanharyani4516]

I have been using icloud private relay and it works really well for especially because I only have a 25mb connection and using a regular vpn hinders the speed significantly. Only issue with private relay is that sometimes I cannot find my local website for food or other places. I have to add my country name in the query to get the result I want on top.

[@mickeygarcia2331_]

That’s all I’ve been waiting for. It was about time.

[@j.b.5230]

So how much time will this add to a page load?

[@huosb1768]

Bro you got it, algorithmic malfeasance has been around. Please keep up the solid reports and you and Preet Bharara need to do something together.

[@jeremyf9124]

“But that swipe-right to Vulcans geek dating app, yeah..They live long and prospered all the data” LOL!! The funniest tech video I’ve seen in a long time.

[@JoelFoner]

Thanks for explaining this in real network -savvy terms, Rene - great work!

[@Elder650]

Is it fast enough like normal uses?? Pls reply

[@ioannisaligizakis4265]

Is Apple Private Relay going to work across all applications or only via Safari? It's not clear to me yet.

[@MISH3LLYTRON]

Oh my gosh, I love how you completely describe my life. Sometimes I get frustrated because I easily forget the details of the various devices and their various add on security features.. Having bought my fourth Apple product I definitely want to know more. Please continue to make videos like this.

[@iamsteezze]

This is NAT over NAT and over NAT again. Brilliant

[@iseewood]

Ok, so super noob here, is there still a benefit to having a VPN if you’re not traveling outside the US? I use a VPN on public Wifi, but if Apple is encrypting my outbound/inbound data with Relay (provided you have a iCloud+ subscription) is a VPN providing any additional level of security? Does Relay encrypt mail and file transfers or just Safari data?

[@karenorgan6203]

So Safari only? Does that mean weather app will know my city and be useful if Country and Time Zone only?

[@johnnyhilon]

Ok i have some questions. Do i have to Turn it on? Cause i bought iCloud Storage. Will it come With the Update ? Or does it Just work?

[@Titeroper]

Nice embedded Alanah Pearce reference there Rene 😉

[@estellebright2579]

Finally someone straight up saying apple private relay is not a VPN cause it is NOT a VPN. It’s just a mere proxy service that is only available for iCloud paid users or apple one subscribers, and that’s it. I’m surprised to see tons of forum members think this service is a VPN but it isn’t.

[@darksora145]

I can’t figure out if iCloud plus is available now or coming soon

[@TheNameOfJesus]

It depends if you've signed up for betas or not. So for you, it's not available yet. Some people are testing Apple's betas so it's available for them.

[@jlmodi_25k]

can a vpn work with the relay? is a another layer of protection?

[@EnnuiMachine]

Good question!

[@collan580]

I dont think its more protection. Its like trying protect a stone wall with a wooden fence.

[@EnnuiMachine]

FYI - I was reading some other comments and I read that you can’t use a VPN if you’re using Apple’s Private Relay.

[@drmayankpatidar]

Will it work seamlessly with vpn or will it interfere and reduce internet speed too much due to double encryption.

[@ReneRitchie]

I explain it in the video but short answer: turning on a VPN turns off Private Relay

[@LemakiMusik]

An Alanah Pearce reference was the very last thing I expected from this channel!

[@jeffhale1189]

Thanks for the video. Blessings on your day.

[@ReneRitchie]

You to!

[@thejose24]

During one of Craig's interviews this week, he said it (iCloud relay) only applies to Safari use. I wish it was all through out the OS. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@JoshMurphyD]

If I had to guess, Apple is probably rolling it out a little at a time to not overload servers. There’s a ton of iPhone users. Web browsing is one thing, but, KZbin, Netflix, or other data intensive apps, can eat through data. Hopefully over time we’ll see Apple expand upon this service

[@ReneRitchie]

That's in the video! Mostly Safari, a few others things.

[@homurak8]

Noo, if you go into wifi settings, you can turn it on for the whole wifi

[@TheNameOfJesus]

@@JoshMurphyD Yes, I did the math to calculate how much data, and it carries a megaton of data, but since it requires a paid account, it's probably sustainable.

[@agamambikashangari1320]

@@TheNameOfJesus it’s included with any iCloud subscription at no extra cost

[@NathanBreunig]

Is this private relay for ALL system communications? Or just when using Safari?

[@man-bagdammit2297]

Great content. Highly informative.

[@jammingjimmy3261]

Is this going to fix, when I talk about things I wanna buy with my colleges and a ad comes up for that specific thing?

[@MrCameraJunkie]

Slurpee Burger FTW, Great video💯👍

[@ReneRitchie]

Thanks so much! Are you on iOS or Android, or both?

[@MrCameraJunkie]

@@ReneRitchie iOS 😉 FTW 🙌🏽

[@feanor5037]

What about device IDs etc though, not to mention cookies? I get that we probably have to do our own housekeeping on cookies but clearing them out entirely just makes for an annoying experience, and if this only really works for Safari etc I'd have thought Apple would have a more complete solution for their own apps. Or am I missing something?

[@michaelbartell1166]

How does that affect Apple TV and Roku. Thanks

[@infotruther]

Which would be better? P.R or VPN?

[@Aborichinal]

so we switch this feature on, what about all the info they acquired prior?

[@jeff2tc99]

Can you explain the benefits over a VPN?

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

A VPN provider knows both your IP-address and your destination. Apple knows your IP-address but not your destination. Cloudflare and the like will know your destination but not your true IP-address.

[@ScottMedinaX]

Where do you go to manage this in your iCloud account?

[@CodeyNeff]

Just a heads up, the link for ting shows your picture and all; but once you try to use it on there web-sight it says "ting has all sorts of great URLs. This isn't one of them" .and directs you to their home page. .

[@yeahbuddy300lbs]

So is private relay system wide or does it only work in certain apps?

[@wayfarer13]

Wow this sounds awesome. Is there a catch?

[@RGauthamRam]

Link to that Apple ad?

[@BrianRouse]

Can’t wait for this to go live!

[@ReneRitchie]

Should be September! Not too long a wait?

[@restorationcarpetcleaning4140]

Is this available on all Apple devices or just mobile?

[@austinverlinden2236]

Any ios Device that can run ios 15. I am not sure if it will be available on Ipad OS, but i would assume it would be.

[@ReneRitchie]

iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monteray

[@stevenjshedd]

So, if you have a VPN now would this still be of benefit? (I use NORD)

[@joyboy6535]

pretty much does everything vpn does so i dont see the need for it

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

@@joyboy6535 A VPN provider knows both your IP-address and your destination. Apple knows your IP-address but not your destination. Cloudflare and the like will know your destination but not your true IP-address.

[@TheNameOfJesus]

Private Relay is not a VPN. It has its own unique benefits. Watch the video again if you don't understand this point.

[@eryclyons4628]

Rene, how is this different from NAT?

[@md4843]

I sure the web on my pc not my phone. Will this still help my privacy?

[@mazz777]

Does the slow things down when it’s turned on

[@ehza]

A well-explained video on iCloud Relay!!

[@ult11mo]

Can i use this for promhub tho?

[@TheChos3nOne]

running the developer beta on my xr rn because i wanna learn how to program apps for ios and wow safari is lookin sleek

[@lfroncek]

I wish advertisers could do all the things you describe but all I get are ads for things I've already purchased and the ads are from the sites I purchased them from.

[@discomfortzone]

Has any testing been done on if there is a speed drop while using Apple Relay? I’m assuming not much if any.

[@jamie00003]

Rene, you rule! Question; I use cloudflare for DNS at the moment, does this new private relay service resolve DNS queries?

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

Apple will use a number of cloudflare-like companies. You would not know which one each time. So the DNS is outside of this, as I see it.

[@aleksap5459]

Such a well-made, entertaining and informative video! Thank you!

[@pianoplayeh]

I enjoy your use of emojis

[@Zerog461]

So do you still need to use a vpn for apps?

[@sm5970]

Does private relay work if I am logged into google on my Safari?

[@jamesrath]

Thank you for this great explanation! I think a lot of these concepts still go over my head a bit but this made sense with your analogies!

[@ArthArmani]

With private relay, can your internet provider know what sites you are visiting?

[@bill3117]

Will this slow the user’s Internet connection down?

[@Just_Call_Me_Tim]

I absolutely love this video and the delivery! 🤣😂 Glad I subscribed!

[@jamesfiegel9675]

Thanks for talking about this issue it needs to be Yelled Out so the masses know so it can be regulated!!!

[@Ghostzy01]

Explained exquisitely.

[@PrathamAggarwal]

Apple Private Relay is amazing but there are still some issues. Firstly, as a macOS Monterey user based in India, the internet connection is slowed down when using Safari. Moreover, using websites like Hotstar (a streaming service in India) is not possible on Safari as the private relay connects you to a US based server.

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

I assume Apple will soon have servers inside India.

[@DanielandYuka]

Pokemon_Pr0n - You Pikachu You - I’m dead! 😂 Pikachu onesie catalogue. Great video Rene!

[@aelaan12]

Hah, I was asked if I logged in from Sweden... now THAT is funny

[@AM-wr3jf]

Well explained, thank you!

[@djalice]

Will this still work while using a VPN? Would a VPN add more privacy or circumvent Apples Relay service?

[@austineatman2151]

I really really wish they would make this system wide, not just through safari. That would be incredible.

[@knowlegeisgood8735]

Next year?

[@housepianist]

I’ll be all over this! Awesome!

[@bchipper3932]

TLDW` (To Long Didn’t Watch) So is the private relay really safe and secure?

[@nathanaelculver5308]

Question: once iOS 15 rolls out, can I ditch my VPN?

[@patrickgamboa7270]

Apparently, iCloud Private Relay encrypts Safari browsing, but not the native apps / third-party apps

[@louisdesienaministries6828]

Onesie! That’s priceless. 😂😂

[@ReneRitchie]

Hahaha, I bet there's a price on it?

[@adjustedsetlee6921]

It’s the privacy damn it….love it Rene

[@SimonHodgkiss]

How will Private Relay with the multiple Firewalls I need access to which allow my IP connection? I guess the Firewall will not allow me in.

[@KelvinBastow]

I just wish safari was available on windows as that’s the only thing stopping me from using it, I have chrome across all my devices and that continuity is so important but this has got me reconsidering things. EDIT: I do use safari now. And just use iCloud on my pic and my bookmarks and passwords are synced across my devices. Perfect, I just wish history would sync as well.

[@kbhasi]

(5:17) Thanks for showing those options too, as it helps prove that it's not a VPN service!

[@mike.camille]

What about encrypting icloud data?

[@mozboy76]

Big fan of Rene R one of the top 3 of tech for me. Appreciate the pride representing

[@an0thrdaniel]

New video style is 🔥

[@georgetriadafillou6958]

So why can’t I get Private Relay in South Africa? 🤔

[@ArchieGee]

Great explanation!

[@TheSolidfoxhound]

"YOu piKachu yoU" - Rene Ritchie, 2021

[@floatingbonesjournal]

Will Apple provide an API for other browser vendors to use the iCloud+ Private Relay? If an API is available, will Google update Chrome to use it?

[@jeremyf9124]

No, this is a value addition to Apple’s products. Tracking+ads is Google’s business model.

[@TheNameOfJesus]

​@@jeremyf9124 For a moment I thought you were right, but bear in mind that most people who use Google's services actually login to Google's site to benefit from the extra services you get, which almost completely negates the value of Private Relay, so I wouldn't reject the idea that Google might want to use a Private Relay API. Google doesn't lose a single ad dollar if you are logged into their site while using Private Relay.

[@tobisonbrown]

On nebula, audio sounds echoed at the 20 second mark. Love this deep dive rene!

[@byronservies4043]

Wouldn't that service be better if apple sold a, I dunno, a wifi router?

[@Itsthekahuna]

My airport AC is still running strong, I wish they would make some new hardware!

[@floofy5529]

Nope. Router has nothing to do with this.

[@Unknown-sf6cs]

its isp fault not router they would not fix any thing