I should file this under Public Service Announcement:
An article in the Wall Street Journal caught my attention. It was about iphones and a setting default that is “on.” It’s something I didn’t even know was on my phone. And I looked. Yes, it was on. I turned it off.
Here’s an excerpt:
Apple Turned On a Buried iPhone Setting. You Might Want It Off.
The ‘Discoverable by Others’ switch is on by default. Here’s what it does—and why it isn’t as scary as it sounds. By Joanna Stern
This creepy-sounding setting is leading people to think their name and location are being shared without their knowledge or consent. That’s not the case, says Apple, but you might want to turn it off anyway.
Last year, as a part of iOS 17.2, Apple released the Journal app. You can use it to jot down personal notes about your day, your life, what inspires you. You know, journal-y things.
You can turn on Journaling Suggestions. This recommends topics to write about based on things your phone (but not Apple) knows about you—music you’ve listened to, people you’ve called or messaged, photos you’ve recently taken, places you’ve visited, etc. You decide if you want to turn this on. When you first launch the Journal app, it will prompt you to do that. Those suggestions aren’t ever shared with Apple.
Here’s where it gets weird. When you go into Settings > Privacy & Security > Journaling Suggestions, you’ll see that Discoverable by Others is enabled by default—even if you never turned on suggestions. Under the setting it says, “Allow others to detect you are nearby to help prioritize their suggestions.”
https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/apple-iphone-discoverable-by-others-journaling-suggestions-9d63086d?mod=wsjhp_columnists_pos3
I don’t quite get what this function does. The reporter of this story Stern reached out to Apple. They said it gives more suggestions on what to journal about, but doesn’t share info with others. That’s reassuring, but also confusing. What is Discoverable by Others anyway?
Were you aware of this journaling function? Or Discoverable by Others? Have you used it?
I wrote about weird coincidences on my iphone a few weeks ago HERE.
No Apple products here, but my basic android phone probably has something running underneath everything that I don’t know about. Another reason I avoid apps as much as possible. I refuse to allow more “things” to know about my habits.
I didn’t even know a journaling app was on the phone!
Same here. I have an android and run an open-source operating system, so I can shut off all the tracking stuff. It’s disturbing how much info some of these devices collect.
What’s really scary is how we don’t even know what they’re tracking.
Thanks for the heads up. I’ve turned it off. Don’t want to be discovered by others.
I’m glad ai was helpful.
Very much. Thanks ❤️
👍🏼
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I saw the Journal function but I am a paper and pen person so I don’t use it except to keep a list of books that I’m looking for. Anyone can have that if they want it.
I had never seen the journal function before. I too use pen and paper.
I have a google phone…
I didn’t know there was a google phone. What apps do you think they have that track you?
I think everything tracks you….but I’m a cynic that way
I’m with you. I’ve decided after I read that WSJ article that we have zero privacy.
I did not know the journaling function was even available but I went in and turned off the location devise. That’s crazy. So much I don’t know about this damn phone. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, C
I didn’t know about it either. What’s really weird is journaling was off but tracking inside it was on!
I didn’t know it was there either, but found it (thank you!) and turned it off. It’s a little scary to think about what who knows what about us!
Isn’t it? Especially because if I hadn’t read about it, I’d never know!
It’s AI that really is really freaky. How will any of us ever be able to discern what is true? I guess this is a wake-up call warning us to listen to, become aware of, and learn to discern the truth that comes from within. “To thine own self be true!” (or so I’ve heard if said). 🙏😇🙏
Yes. I agree. I’m afraid of what AI will bring to us. We need to figure out how to discern the truth. That’s the main topic of my Friday zoom calls with people of all backgrounds.
I’ve heard of it, but it isn’t on my phone. Not sure why.
It’s more than strange!
This sent me down a rabbit hole – first to find the journaling app and then to the settings. Thanks for the heads up!
👍🏼 what’s the journaling app about? Did anyone ask for it?
I don’t know. I always put things in my “notes” which works just fine.
I use notes too if I’m away from pen and paper.
I definitely remember those phones and sometimes I miss them. People complain that I leave my phone off to often but I am not expecting callers or am busy. That’s why I have voice mail.
Exactly!
I don’t use the journal, but I turned the other off. Kind of creepy even though Apple says it’s not. Thanks for letting us know! Sigh!
Funny Apple says it’s nothing to worry about. Why is there?
Who knows, but I didn’t know about it until you brought it up, so thank you! And anything like that I’d rather have turned off. 8/5
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