If you're new to AirPods, considering buying a pair, or just want to pick up some new tips.
Apple Says Apple ID Password on Shooter's iPhone Changed in Government Possession, Losing Access to Data
Shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion demanding Apple comply with an order to help it unlock the iPhone 5c of San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook, Apple executives shared key information with several reporters, including BuzzFeed's John Paczkowski, about government missteps that may have led to reduced access to the iPhone in question.
According to Apple, the Apple ID password on the iPhone was changed "less than 24 hours" after being in government hands. Had the password not been altered, Apple believes the backup information the government is asking for could have been accessible to Apple engineers. The FBI has said it has access to weekly iCloud backups leading up to October 19, but not after that date, and it is seeking later information that could be stored on the device.
Apple says the software would be the equivalent of a master key that could be used to access millions of devices (including Apple's newest iPhones and iPads) and has called the demand an "overreach" with chilling implications. Apple executives today also denied the DOJ's claim that the company's refusal to comply is a marketing tactic, saying it was done based on "love for the country" and "desire not to see civil liberties tossed aside."
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
According to Apple, the Apple ID password on the iPhone was changed "less than 24 hours" after being in government hands. Had the password not been altered, Apple believes the backup information the government is asking for could have been accessible to Apple engineers. The FBI has said it has access to weekly iCloud backups leading up to October 19, but not after that date, and it is seeking later information that could be stored on the device.
The executives said the company had been in regular discussions with the government since early January, and that it proposed four different ways to recover the information the government is interested in without building a back door. One of those methods would have involved connecting the phone to a known wifi network.Apple executives said the entire backdoor demand could have potentially been avoided if the Apple ID password not been changed, as connecting to a known Wi-Fi network would have caused the device to start backing up automatically so long as iCloud backups were enabled. Instead, with the information inaccessible, the FBI has requested tools that set what Apple calls a "dangerous precedent." The FBI wants a version of iOS that accepts electronic passcode input and removes passcode features like time limits and data erasure following failures.
Apple sent engineers to try that method, the executives said, but the experts were unable to do it. It was then that they discovered that the Apple ID passcode associated with the phone had been changed.
Apple says the software would be the equivalent of a master key that could be used to access millions of devices (including Apple's newest iPhones and iPads) and has called the demand an "overreach" with chilling implications. Apple executives today also denied the DOJ's claim that the company's refusal to comply is a marketing tactic, saying it was done based on "love for the country" and "desire not to see civil liberties tossed aside."
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
[ 554 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
40 months ago
My tax dollar at work, guess they had "Top People" working on it.
Make the FBI stand in line at the Genius Bar, like everyone else.
Make the FBI stand in line at the Genius Bar, like everyone else.
40 months ago
If you'd like to stand with Apple's stance on privacy, there is a White House petition at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/apple-privacy-petition
40 months ago
This is the people/Tech Companies/Tim Cook vs the goons who call themselves our government. Stand fast on the tiller Mr. Cook, treacherous seas ahead!!!
Actually this whole thing is a good "shill test" of our congress and senate. Note carefully who votes for Big Brother and VOTE THEM OUT!!!
Actually this whole thing is a good "shill test" of our congress and senate. Note carefully who votes for Big Brother and VOTE THEM OUT!!!
40 months ago
This whole thing is so odd. And man, the comments section on the other article went to the wackos quickly. What I don't understand is Apple tired to help them, which I am certain any company would do in a situation like this. You'd do your best, right? And do it quietly. Then some folks drag the whole thing into court, and I can only think of one reason to do this and it has nothing to do with this phone and THIS case. It's a chance for the goons whether in the Govt or working for one of the many industrial sized military companies that farm out intelligence to the highest bidder. to try and make a case that none of us deserve to ever have any secrets from anyone anytime. But I would think with just one minute of thought a rational person would realize that if you build in a backdoor - everyone who wants access will have access. So security is gone, done. What the hell digital equipment would a Govt. employee even use? Ugh. This entire conversation drained down to the lowest common denominator quickly.
40 months ago
Conclusion: Don't use Apple's iCloud backups! Backup only locally to an encrypted Mac :)
40 months ago
ITS ONLY ONE PHONE, HOW MANY DIED... SMARTEN UP.... DON'T GET STUPID ON US
Those who sacrifice Freedoms/liberties for safety/security deserve neither.
Of course, I paraphrase our 1st US Postmaster General and author of the Declaration of Independence.
BL.
40 months ago
Is Tim warning us that we should change our Apple passwords if our phones get into the police's hands? Seems like a warning to me.
[ Read All Comments ]
Despite starting at a higher price of $499, the new 10.5-inch iPad Air released today qualifies for the same $69 tier of AppleCare+ as 9.7-inch iPad and iPad mini models. AppleCare+ for the...
Alongside new iPad mini and a new 10.5-inch iPad Air, Apple today launched new Smart Covers for each device line. There's also one new color for the Smart Folio case that fits the...
Apple today announced that its iWork suite of apps for iOS will be updated next week with enhanced Apple Pencil integration, including new animation options in the Keynote app that let users draw an...
There are two noteworthy flash sales happening today only, with discounts that knock the price of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro to new all-time-low prices. As a note, the...
Apple has stopped selling the second-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro, originally released in June 2017, after launching a new 10.5-inch iPad Air today.
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro had remained...
Spotify on Monday began offering all premium Family plan subscribers in the U.K. a free Google Home Mini smart speaker.
From today, both new and existing family plan subscribers can claim...
Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, Phil Schiller, participated in the 317th episode of Accidental Tech Podcast hosted by Marco Arment, Casey Liss, and John Siracusa. The podcast was...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Satechi to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Type-C Aluminum Monitor Stand Hub designed for the iMac or the iMac Pro.
Priced at...
