A security feature on iPhones that is not widely recognized has garnered attention after it impeded the efforts of U.S. federal authorities to search devices that were confiscated from a reporter.
Apple's Lockdown Mode recently impeded FBI agents' access to the iPhone of Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post correspondent.
In the course of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor who is accused of unlawfully handling classified information, agents confiscated the phone, two MacBooks, and other electronic devices during a search of Natanson's residence last month. However, a court filing indicates that the FBI's Computer Analysis Response Team was unable to extract data from the iPhone due to its Lockdown Mode.
Therefore, what is Lockdown Mode? Here is a brief explanation of its functionality and how to operate it:
Highest security
According to Apple, Lockdown Mode is a "extreme, optional" protection mechanism that is intended to protect against "extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyberattacks." It is not suitable for all, but rather for a "very small number of individuals" who may be susceptible to digital hazards due to their identity or activities.
Apple's support page states that the majority of individuals will never be the target of attacks of this nature.
It is accessible in the most recent versions of Apple's operating systems, such as macOS Ventura and iOS 16. It functions by imposing stringent security restrictions on specific applications and features, or even rendering them inaccessible, in order to limit the scope of potential attacks by sophisticated spyware. It also limits the types of browser technologies that websites can use and restricts the sharing of photos.
Can Apple turn it off?
Apple has previously declined requests from the United States government to develop so-called "backdoor access" for its devices.
In 2016, authorities requested assistance from Apple to circumvent lockscreen security for an encrypted iPhone that belonged to a shooter who committed a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. Apple declined these requests. The company also declined to incorporate the capability to input passcodes electronically, which would have enabled the use of computers to conduct "brute force" attempts to predict the combination.
Apple stated in its explanation of its decision, "It would be incorrect to intentionally compromise our products by implementing a government-ordered backdoor."
How to turn on Lockdown Mode
Ensure that your MacBook, iPad, or iPhone has been updated. The feature must be activated separately for each of your Apple devices.
Navigate to the Privacy and Security section of your iPhone by selecting Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select Lockdown Mode. To activate it, enter your passcode, not a facial or biometric scan. The device will restart, and you will be required to enter your passcode once more to access it. Follow a comparable process from the System Settings menu on MacBooks.
Apple suggests that you set it on for all of the devices that you own from the company.
Better than biometrics
You may believe that requiring facial or fingerprint recognition to access your phone is sufficient to safeguard it from snooping. However, experts contend that passcodes are more effective than biometrics in safeguarding your devices from law enforcement. This is due to the fact that they could coerce you to access your device by requiring you to place your finger on the scanner or hold your phone up to your face.
The FBI agents informed Natanson that they were unable to compel her to provide her passcodes. However, the warrant they used to conduct the search did grant them the authority to use Natanson's biometrics, such as facial recognition or fingerprints, to access her devices. Natanson stated in a court filing that she did not employ biometrics to secure her devices; however, agents were ultimately able to access her MacBook using her finger.
This is how it affects your phone
Apple has stated that Lockdown Mode will affect the functionality of certain applications and features.
It is possible that certain websites may not function properly or may render slowly, and certain images and web fonts may be absent due to the blocking of "certain complex web technologies."
The majority of attachments are prohibited in Messages, and links and link previews will not be accessible. We will not allow incoming FaceTime communications unless they originate from a number that you have previously contacted within the past month.
The app removes shared albums and location information from shared photos in Photos. The focus mode will not function as intended.
Additionally, there are more stringent limitations on the connection of your phone or computer to unsecure Wi-Fi networks or to other computers and accessories.
Upon testing it on my iPhone, I received notifications from certain applications that certain features may not function properly. I observed that one of my news applications began to utilize a distinct font, and certain websites' images were supplanted with a question mark.
The most significant disruption occurred during my visit to the gym, which necessitated the use of a web-based check-in system to scan a QR code. However, the camera on my phone was malfunctioning, necessitating that I disable Lockdown Mode in order to gain entry. To be certain, the standalone Code Scanner app on my iPhone continued to function; therefore, the issue appeared to be related to the use of a website to activate the camera.
