iCloud Private Relay feature


The upcoming Private Relay feature is an add-on to paid iCloud accounts. iCloud Private Relay brings a layer of privacy protection for certain applications in iOS and macOS. Specifically, Safari browsing can be shielded from ISPs and everywhere between you and your destination service.

While VPNs have similar functionality, Private Relay doesn't function completely like a VPN. For one, Apple will exit traffic within the user's country, so there are no bypassing country restrictions.

An individual on a cryptography list serves speculates the service will function similarly to Onion routing on the Tor network.

As part of it, they are also doing some kind of "private" DNS; it's not clear if that routes through the onion layers, too, though it would make sense. All in all, a very Apple approach: They deny themselves any knowledge of a customer's DNS queries and Web traffic, so if served with a subpoena they have very little to respond with. And, it works completely transparently (and presumably very simply for the end user) with Apple applications.

While some will still wish to use the full protection of a VPN, many don't bother for day-to-day Internet tasks. This feature should appeal to people interested in added privacy without the cost and extra effort of VPNs.