Apple said it will introduce a “block” option for iPhones, iPads and Macs designed to protect against spyware released by state-sponsored hackers – although enabling this protection will also make those devices less useful.
The safeguard announced Wednesday is a tacit acknowledgment that even Apple — the world’s most valuable company — has failed to adequately protect the iPhone and its other products against intrusions by state-sponsored hackers and commercial spyware. Governments have used these tools to violate the privacy of journalists, political dissidents, and human rights activists.
The new feature, called “block mode,” will initially be offered as a test version so that security researchers can help Apple identify bugs or weaknesses. Apple usually releases its major operating system updates to its devices at the end of September.
Although only a few countries seem to have the resources to develop their own mobile phone hacking tools, private companies such as Israel’s NSO Group have been selling phone hacking software to government agencies around the world for years.
The growing problem of hiring hackers led Apple to file a federal lawsuit late last year against NSO Group for breaking into iPhones and other Apple products. In its complaint, Apple accused NSO Group employees of being “21st-century amoral mercenaries who have created a highly sophisticated cybersurveillance machine that invites routine and flagrant abuse.”
NSO, which was blacklisted by the US Commerce Department, denied wrongdoing and said its products were used to thwart child abusers and terrorists.
Unlike the security features that Apple builds into most of its software, the company’s lockout feature is designed to serve as an emergency button that Apple expects only a small number of users will need.
The blocking measure is considered a last resort for people targeted by spyware, as enabling blocking will disable many popular features. This includes sending attachments and links in text messages, and being able to receive FaceTime calls from new numbers. Web surfing will also be restricted.
But Apple believes the extra layer of protection will be valuable to activists, journalists and other targets of hacking attacks launched by well-funded groups. Users will be able to enable and disable the lock mode at will.
The growing use of encrypted communications via phone apps like WhatsApp and Signal has prompted governments to turn to commercial spyware vendors to gather information about targets.
Such cell phone spy software collects text messages, emails, and photos while secretly monitoring the smartphone’s microphones and cameras. Some of the more sophisticated tools can infect a phone using so-called “zero-click” exploits, which do not depend on the user inadvertently activating them, such as by clicking on a malicious link.
Google Inc., whose Android mobile phone platform is used by iPhone rivals, has also been targeted by commercial spyware vendors. The company’s Threat Analysis Group says it tracks more than 30 such companies and regularly publishes reports on exploits used to hack phones, making them far less effective.
Google Inc. also offers an “Advanced Security Program” that uses a special hardware security key to make user accounts more difficult to hack. The company said it highly recommends the program for “journalists, activists, business executives and people involved in elections.”
Separately, Apple also provided more details on a $10 million grant it pledged last November to help counter large-scale hacking attacks. The money will go to the Dignity and Justice Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Ford Foundation.
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