There is no iOS blockage, notification or alert. So if an app can access your Contacts, it could upload the entire unencrypted data file, in an instant, to its parent server/developer. See: “ People, Please Don’t Store Private Data In Your Address Book.”Īs far as I know, Apple has no barrier or filter that blocks outgoing, uploaded Contacts data from any app. Or financial data like credit card or account numbers. When an app accesses your contacts, be aware that it’s not only looking at your friends and family phone numbers and addresses but also, for example, your doctor names and any personal health data you may have put in the Notes field. Also, some games will ask for access, with seeming innocent intent, to help you connect better with friends.

I typically endure the inconvenience of denying access for the sake of security. Typical Apps that request access are 3rd party contacts managers and communication apps, like Skype, that have an address book but don’t want to duplicate what you’ve already built up in your own Contacts. You can, and probably should, deny access until you’ve determined a legitimate, pressing need. iOS will alert you if an app wishes to access your Contacts.

But that’s also true if you grant 3rd party apps access. When you’ve logged into your iPhone, you can see your Contacts because, of course, the data is decrypted. Keeping your software up-to-date and using two-factor authentication are the most important things that you can do to maintain the security of your devices and data. In some cases, your iCloud data may be stored using third-party partners’ servers-such as Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform-but these partners don’t have the keys to decrypt your data stored on their servers.Įnd-to-end encryption requires that you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID.

How to access mac mail contacts