A company that makes phone hacking devices claims to have developed a solution that freezes iPhones in a state that lets cops more easily access sensitive data inside them, according to a video obtained by 404 Media.
This is the latest salvo in the never-ending battle between Apple and companies that help cops — sometimes those in authoritarian countries — break into iPhones.
In November 2024, 404 Media revealed Apple quietly introduced a new feature in iOS that automatically reboots an iPhone that has not been unlocked for 72 hours. The idea behind this so-called “inactivity reboot” is to revert the phone to a state that makes it harder for police to break into the device, and thus extract sensitive data from it with forensics technology.
At the time of Apple’s change, law enforcement agents expressed concern about this new feature, given that oftentimes they can’t immediately try to break into iPhones that have been seized. That could be because police are still waiting for a court authorization to do so, or there is simply a backlog of devices to unlock, for example.
Well, I expect this to be patched asap now that it has leaked. Apple has been quick to patch things when such leaks happen. Hopefully that’s the case here too.
I have a family member who is a cop, and they told me this was possible months ago. I doubt Apple doesn’t know
they’re quick IF we always accept that they really did find out about it at the same time as everyone else.
Apple probably gave them the backdoor
On the assumption Apple wants to facilitate access to such authorities, were I Apple, I’d have either already made available redundant backdoor so disabling any one wouldn’t be a problem; or, I’d have others ready to be opened when I need to shut others down.
you cant make a bank vault out of doors.