CAPTCHAs could be a thing of the past with iOS 16

iPhone

Apple could make CAPTCHAs a thing of the past with iOS 16.

The software features a new tool called Private Access Tokens, which uses details about your device and your Apple ID to tell websites and apps that you’re a real person rather than a robot.

Apple first referenced the new feature in a “Replace CAPTCHAs with Private Access Token” keynote during the Worldwide Developers Conference, where it told developers: “Private Access Tokens are a powerful alternative that helps you identify HTTP requests from legitimate devices and people without compromising their identity or personal information.

“We’ll show you how your app and server can take advantage of this tool to add confidence to your online transactions and preserve privacy.”

According to Apple, firms such as Fastly and Cloudflare are already working on supporting the new standard, and other companies will be able to sign up to support the scheme later this year. Apple will enable the feature by default on iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, though it’s possible to turn it off. On both iOS and macOS, the company says: “Bypass CAPTCHAs in apps and on the web by allowing iCloud to automatically and privately verify your device and account.”

Are you looking forward to giving this a try? Let us know and check back soon for more.

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