Apple Cannot Decrypt iPhones Running iOS 8 for Law Enforcement

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Posted September 18, 2014 at 4:05pm by iClarified

iOS 8 brought many new features when it was released yesterday, but Apple also rolled out many new security enhancements amid privacy concerns.

Apple launched an entire new page highlighting its commitment to security and privacy, with CEO Tim Cook even writing a letter to customers regarding the company's commitment to privacy.

There are many updates to security that you can read about here, but one new change we noticed was that Apple can no longer decrypt iPhones for law enforcement if the device is running iOS 8.

On devices running iOS 8, your personal data such as photos, messages (including attachments), email, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes, and reminders is placed under the protection of your passcode. Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data. So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8.

Even if Apple was required to decrypt and extract the information on an iPhone running iOS 8, it would be impossible to do so if a passcode was enabled on the device.

iOS 8 also randomizes Wi-Fi mac addresses to prevent companies form tracking your movements when scanning for Wi-Fi networks.

You can read all about the technical side of iOS security here

Apple Cannot Decrypt iPhones Running iOS 8 for Law Enforcement

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Kaylin - September 20, 2014 at 11:06pm

LOL...you did read that article right? It says SOME devices this was offered, at I assume a premium. This is being offered on EVERY single iPhone that is updated to iOS8

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Russell - September 18, 2014 at 11:41pm

That's Carrier IQ.

King Rollo - September 19, 2014 at 5:40am

No sense, it was added to your library for a limited time if you don't download the U2 album will go- for ever. You do understand how to operate icloud right?

Intrusive - September 19, 2014 at 3:14pm

I do not like or use icloud for obvious reasons, it is disabled. Yet the U2 links still mysteriously appeared in my music without authorization, or even the ability to swipe to remove.

NoGoodNick - September 18, 2014 at 7:20pm

Take away message: Don't story ANYTHING on iCloud unless you want it examined by the government!

kapnkirk24 - September 18, 2014 at 8:13pm

Sir, this article explains how Apple safeguards what you just said from happening. On iOS 8 this CANNOT & WILL NOT happen (So they say.....) Whether this is true or not, who really knows. If you want the most security, back up on a physical drive that's not connected to your network. Plain & simple.

olo - September 18, 2014 at 6:40pm

Yeah, sure... :/

JuergenWest - September 18, 2014 at 5:35pm

But can and will it be jailbroken? (Just a matter of time)

Kyle.k - September 18, 2014 at 5:35pm

Not sure if it's true or just something to shut the customers up.