Apple Raises Security Concern on iPhone Unlocking

Unlock iPhone, Jailbreak iPhone and iPhone Unlocking

8/04/2009 09:50:00 PM - 0 comments

Unlocking and jailbreaking of iPhones, since its advent has been giving Apple representatives sleepless nights and headaches; considering the number of times they have been caught unaware of the iPhone Dev team’s next move. It is not that Apple hasn’t tried to stop them; however, their endeavors just did not work and many a times have garnered bad PR for themselves.

In its latest endeavor, Apple has placed a complaint with the U.S. Copyright Office on iPhone unlocking and jailbreaking - suggesting that the practice be outlawed, citing fears that terrorists could use jailbroken iPhones to attack cell phone towers. Many believe, this move is nothing less than a sign of frustration from the smartphone giant, soon after its latest release the new iPhone 3G S was also unlocked, following which, it is now trying to rope in the attention of security agencies, cashing in on America’s commitment to ‘war against terror’.

Apple struggles for iPhone security

Apple's struggle for iPhone security is not new. Analysts have often taken a dig on Apple iPhones internal protection technology and consumer security as they turned out to be quite weak and poorly implemented. And with the recent jailbreaking of the iPhone 3G S, Apple has turned to none other than the U.S. government for help.

Analyzing Apple’s Claim

You all must be as interested as me to know about Apple’s claim on the possible terror threats courtesy unlocked and jailbroken iPhones. Well, Apple has based its claims on the fact that an unlocked iPhone offers easy accessibility to the iPhone’s BBP or the BaseBand Processor software, which enables a connection to cell phone towers.

Now, what Apple in its report to the U.S. Copyright Office has cited are unknown possibilities of the BBP being trespassed by anti-social elements. Concerns have been raised about the possibility of a local or international hacker initiating commands (such as a denial of service attack). Such an eventuality could crash the tower software, causing collateral damage to the tower and making it entirely inoperable to process calls or data transmission.

Further explaining the threat factor, Apple goes on to say that taking control of the BBP software would be much equivalent penetrating the firewall of a corporate computer. Therefore, any intrusion by unethical hackers with the intention of terrorism can prove to be potentially catastrophic with unlocked and jailbroken iPhones.

Apple speaks…

Apple has gone on record in citing the anticipated problems due to iPhone unlocking:

Unpredictable Data: Slow or unreliable data connections, together with delayed or inaccurate location data.

iPhone device and app instability: Reports of regular and sudden crashes of the device, apart from crashes and freezes of built-in apps and third-party apps leading to loss of data

Disruption of services: Reports of disruption as well as termination in services of Visual Voice mail, YouTube, Weather, Stocks, etc, including push-based third party applications on the devices.

Inability to apply future software updates: A few unauthorized modifications cause irreparable damage to the iPhone OS.

Compromised security: Introductions of security compromises due to the modifications, allowing hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or even introduce malicious software or viruses.

Shortened battery life: The hacked software of your jailbroken device causes an accelerated battery drain that goes on to shorten the operation of an iPhone or iPod Touch on a single battery charge.

What provoked Apple to report?

Apple’s plea to the U.S. Copyright Office comes in response to an ongoing request by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to legalize the widespread practice of unlocking. Apple Inc. which already is fighting against all odds to prevent iPhone unlocking is now optimistically seeking help from the U.S Government as its final assault by treading an altogether different direction make unlocking and jailbreaking the phone illegal.

However, EEF in response to Apple’s filing of report has termed it as ‘preposterous’; claiming that with an estimated 1 million unlocked iPhones operating in the U.S. so far, no such threat perception has been detected and Apple’s apprehensions are more theoretical than practical.

The war of words continues….

As the war of words continues between Apple and all those favoring unlocking and jailbreaking of iPhone, the catch is that unlocking the iPhone may currently be banned under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. This act states that "no person shall circumvent a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under this title." If Apple wins the bid to banning iPhone unlocking and jailbreaking is yet to be seen.

Watch this space, we’ll keep you updated!

Posted: Seuli.B