iCloud Private Relay is a service offered within the iCloud+ subscription plan that helps protect your privacy when you browse the web in Safari. It is designed to prevent websites and network providers from creating a detailed profile about you by hiding your IP address and web browsing activity. When Private Relay is enabled, the traffic leaving your device is encrypted and sent through two separate internet relays. The first relay, operated by Apple, can see your IP address, but your DNS records are encrypted, so neither party can see the address of the website you’re trying to visit. The second relay, operated by a third-party content provider, generates a temporary IP address, decrypts the name of the website you requested, and connects you to the site.

Some key points to note about iCloud Private Relay include:

• Private Relay is an Apple device-only service, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
• Private Relay is not a VPN, but it functions similarly by routing your traffic through two relays.
• Private Relay is designed to preserve IP address to geolocation mapping accuracy, even while preventing tracking and fingerprinting.
• Private Relay can be turned on or off in the iCloud settings on your device.

Overall, iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature that can help protect your online activity from being tracked and monitored by websites and network providers.