Apple is secretly tracking users through a feature that was turned on by default during a previous iOS 17 update. When the Journal app released in December 2023, a privacy setting was automatically switched to on. It allows people to interact with your iPhone when they are nearby. To turn yours off, go to the Privacy & Security tab in the settings folder. It should say'Discoverable by Others'.

The iPhone-specific app was released in Apple's new iOS 17.2 update and prompts users to write about their lives to'reflect and practice gratitude,' according to the Cupertino company. However, tech experts have pointed out that the app's default settings make your phone discoverable by nearby devices, not just when you use it. The Journal app exploits users' photos, workout data, recent music listening history, and even location data to craft so-called journal entries that are mostly complete before the phone's owner even enters a single word. These capabilities have sparked privacy concerns and fears over the data that may be shared without people's knowledge. Some have also noted the new app's similarity to Google's'Project Ellmann,' which uses the company's ChatGPT rival Gemini to comb through users' data and craft an overarching story of your life.

Apple's AI-powered Journal app is finally here. The new diary entry writing tool was first teased for iOS 17 back in June, but it only became available on Monday with the new iPhone update -- nearly three months after iOS 17 itself came out. After Apple released iOS 17.2, iPhone users can now access to the Journal app, which allows users to jot down their thoughts in a digital diary. Journaling is a practice that can improve mental wellbeing and it can also be used to fuel creative projects. You can create traditional text entries, add voice recordings to your notes, or include recent videos or pictures.