A change to Apple's operating system announced last year is expected to limit Facebook's ability to track user activity.

The Australian's Chris Griffith has reported that the changes, announced last June, are likely to be included with an iOS 14.5 version expected this week or early next month.

Bitterly opposed by Facebook, the change introduces a new security feature that stops the social media giant - and others - automatically tracking a user's activity on an iPhone or iPad unless they specifically give permission.

Griffiths says that while some Facebook users will agree to be tracked, a Wall Street Journal survey found last year that 85 per cent of people were opposed to it. "Opposition ... might be even stronger now following its move to not only ban news reports on its Australian platform, but also inadvertently remove content from the Facebook pages of Australian emergency services, health, indigenous services, domestic violence, suburban newsletters, businesses and sporting sites.

The Wall Street Journal claimed that Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg "had privately told his executive team that 'we need to inflict pain' on Apple".