Apple has previewed a new feature which aims to harden high-risk users from the serious threat of being spied upon by enemy states and intelligence agencies.
“Lockdown Mode” is scheduled to arrive later this year with the release of Apple iOS 16 and macOS Ventura. It’s an optional feature for users who believe their computers and smartphones face a real risk of being targeted by sophisticated state-sponsored spyware.
Apple acknowledges that its protection technology is “extreme,” and is not something that is ever likely to be required by anyone other than a tiny percentage of their customers.
“When iPhone is in Lockdown Mode, it will not function as it typically does. Apps, websites, and features will be strictly limited for security, and some experiences will be completely unavailable.”
“While the vast majority of users will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect the small number of users who are,” said Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of Security Engineering and Architecture. “That includes continuing to design defenses specifically for these users, as well as supporting researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks.”
Although the number of political activists, lawyers, journalists, and diplomats who may be at risk of being targeted by mercenary spyware may be very small, the impact of them being hacked may have grave consequences.
In its announcement, Apple practically acknowledges that enabling “Lockdown Mode” will severely limit your device’s functionality in various ways – but with the benefit of reducing the attack surface, limiting the potential for targeted spyware to exploit your phone or computer.
According to Apple, at launch “Lockdown Mode” will restrict devices as follows:
- Messages: Most message attachment types other than images are (Read more…)
