New Apple iOS update sparks controversy as it’s branded 'a cheaters paradise’

The new Apple iOS update has brought on a wave of controversy from users - and it's all over one new feature.

It's that time of year, as Apple have announced a new iOS for our beloved iPhones, and with that comes a selection of new features for us to dig our teeth into.

Among the additions in iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, a new AI-powered system that would run across all of its official platforms and devices, being able to solve any problems and respond to prompts from the user, while also being able to create new text and images - essentially, the latest evolution of Siri.

However, there was one other addition to the Apple interface that got people talking - and it's less cool, more scary (to some people).

iOS 18 is ushering in a new era of tech for the company. (Filip Radwanski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Apple announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday (10 June) that users can now either lock and hide an app by moving it to a hidden folder, and further explained what this entails.

"Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others," they explained.

"Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder."

"When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system."

The new feature is designed to 'give users more control' over who sees their apps. (Getty Stock Photos)

Apple also presented the addition as a chance to keep things such as banking apps private, with your money being more secure - which is great news for parents who want to stop their children from buying things off Amazon.

The company said that the new feature 'gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories'.

However, numerous people expressed their concerns on social media for the new feature - and what particular people might choose to do with it.

People's home screens might be looking very different, very soon. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

One user posted: "A new privacy feature in iOS is going to help f***bois all the world round, by letting you hide certain apps even when you hand your phone over to someone else to change the music or something. Nice."

Calling it a 'cheater's paradise', a second commented: "On the apple update you can hide and lock apps, and they won’t even come up if you search words in the search bar."

A third user said: "IOS 18 update lets you lock a specific app….apple making it way to easy to hide your suspicious activities lmao."

Though an exact date wasn't given, it was said that iOS 18 will be available later this year.

LADbible have reached out to Apple for comment.