Apple has issued a fresh advisory to iPhone users, cautioning them against relying on Google Chrome and other third-party browsers. The company is strongly encouraging users to switch to its native Safari browser, citing significant privacy and security advantages.
According to Apple, Safari now includes advanced protections against digital fingerprinting, a covert tracking technique that identifies users based on a combination of unique device characteristics. Unlike traditional tracking cookies—which users can opt out of—fingerprinting is nearly impossible for individuals to disable on their own.
Apple claims Safari blocks this form of tracking by masking system details and presenting a simplified, uniform device profile to websites. This makes it harder for advertisers and data brokers to create a unique digital identity for each user.
The warning comes at a time when Google—despite earlier commitments—has reversed its ban on fingerprinting technologies. With Chrome boasting more than 3 billion global users, Apple’s caution is expected to spark debate among privacy-conscious consumers.
Though Apple acknowledges that users are free to choose their preferred browser, the company emphasizes that those who prioritise privacy should avoid shifting from Safari to Chrome.
Apple is not the only company taking a stand against fingerprinting. Mozilla has also updated Firefox with similar defenses, giving users more options if they want to avoid invisible tracking across the web.
Explaining its stance, Apple says:
“Safari works to prevent advertisers and websites from using the unique combination of characteristics of your device to create a ‘fingerprint’ to track you. To combat fingerprinting, Safari presents a simplified version of the system configuration so more devices look identical to trackers, making it harder to single yours out.”
Digital privacy has become a major consumer concern in recent years, and Apple’s renewed push highlights the growing competition among tech companies to position themselves as the most secure option for everyday users.
