How to Block Apple's Journal App from Sharing Your Location

The Sharing of Location Data with Apple's Journal App: A Balanced View

Apple's journal app has built-in suggestions that will help generate topics for you to write about, ranging from the music you listen to to places you've visited to photos you've taken and more. One might assume that this feature would be a privacy nightmare, but in reality, it operates in a way that minimizes potential concerns.

The location data shared with people around you is limited to those in your contact list and is only used in a non-actionable way. This means that there is no identifying information shared with anyone outside of your contact list, and those in your contact list are not alerted to your presence or vice versa. The feature, called "discoverable by others," uses a technique called multi-person detection to infer when multiple people from your contact list are nearby. This is typically used to detect parties or large gatherings that take place outside of your normal day-to-day interactions.

For instance, if you frequently visit your parents' house for daily or weekly visits, the app will not generate an alert for these routine occurrences. However, if it detects that you were at your parents' house for a few hours on a Saturday night and multiple family members were present, including your brothers, cousins, aunts, and uncles, you may receive a notification prompting you to write about your night out. This alert does not include any identifying information, ensuring that only the specific writing prompt is shared with those in your contact list.

The discoverable by others feature serves as a tool to encourage users to reflect on their experiences and share their thoughts through writing prompts. While it may seem invasive at first, this feature operates within established boundaries that protect user privacy.

If you prefer not to have this feature enabled, disabling it is a straightforward process. To do so, open the settings app, scroll down to Privacy, and then tap Journaling Suggestions. From there, toggle off Discoverable by Others. This simple step will prevent any location data from being shared with those outside your contact list.

So, should you leave this feature enabled or disable it? The decision ultimately depends on individual preferences regarding privacy and technology usage. Some users may find the potential for discovering new writing prompts beneficial, while others may prefer to maintain a higher level of control over their personal information. By understanding how this feature operates, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs.

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