Apple’s latest iOS security feature is causing headaches for police

You May Be Interested In:Breakups, booty calls and bare-all balladry: SZA’s 20 best songs – ranked!


Editor’s take: A security feature introduced in the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system is reportedly causing headaches for law enforcement officials. It’s a controversial issue among some, but one that Apple likely isn’t going to compromise on.

404 Media reported last week that some iPhones in the possession of law enforcement were mysteriously rebooting, making it more difficult for forensic experts to break into them and extract data as part of investigations. It wasn’t exactly clear why or how this was happening at the time, but now we have a better understanding of what is going on.

A security researcher from Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany has seemingly cracked the case. According to Jiska Classen and others, Apple added a feature known as “inactivity reboot” to iOS 18.1 that reboots a device if it is inactive for a certain period of time.

Details are still emerging but the leading theory is that Apple’s new feature reboots a device after four days of inactivity. Apple no doubt justifies the feature as an added layer of security, making iOS devices even less desirable for thieves that aim to resell devices or collect private data from them. With less than a week to crack a stolen device before it reboots, thieves could device to pass up iPhones in favor of Android handsets that don’t such a restriction in place.

If that makes it harder for law enforcement to do their job, well… so be it. As we’ve seen in the past, Apple has little interest in going out of its way to break into its own devices to assist with police investigations.

As for the new feature, four days of inactivity feels adequate to trigger the feature. It’s long enough that it isn’t going to continually turn itself on by accident to the point that it becomes a nuisance, yet short enough to potentially have a meaningful impact against theft. And if the feature is triggered, all the owner needs to do is unlock the phone per usual using their passcode.



share Paylaş facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

PlayStation 6 chip design is nearing completion as Sony and AMD partnership forges ahead
PlayStation 6 chip design is nearing completion as Sony and AMD partnership forges ahead
Deep-sea mining tech advances – but doubts remain
Deep-sea mining tech advances – but doubts remain
The PlayStation 4 is the latest console to receive a handheld makeover
The PlayStation 4 is the latest console to receive a handheld makeover
Samsung cracks the AI puzzle with Galaxy S25, finally
Samsung cracks the AI puzzle with Galaxy S25, finally
Ex-Google boss Eric Schmidt fears for 'Bin Laden' AI scenario
Ex-Google boss Eric Schmidt fears for ‘Bin Laden’ AI scenario
Trump’s McDonald Cosplay Boosts FreeDum Fighters' Avatars; Presale Hits $200K+ in 4 Days
Trump’s McDonald Cosplay Boosts FreeDum Fighters’ Avatars; Presale Hits $200K+ in 4 Days
Flash News Hub | © 2024 | News