Back in February, Apple filed a patent which covers new technologies which could allow the i-giants to detect and circumvent iPhones which have been 'jailbroken'. The patent is called "Systems and Methods for Identifying users of an Electronic Device" which is meant to protect the company's operating system from Jailbreak and other hacks on their devices. However, the US Library of Congress recently agreed that Jailbreaking iPhones is legal. The patent, which was only just recently published, mentions the identification of "hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of a SIM card” for the purpose of the company taking action against the user.
Apple claims this is for the purpose of protecting registered iPhone users from thieves and unauthorized users on their Smartphone and backs this up by in the patent, saying that; “Access to sensitive information such as credit card information, social security numbers, banking information, home addresses, or any other delicate information can be prohibited,” when a device is tampered with.
It also mentions that “In some embodiments, the sensitive information can be erased from the electronic device. For example, the sensitive information can be erased directly after an unauthorized user is detected.”
The main concern with this patent which has got many jailbreak users worried is a selection of statements which say:
“An activity that can detect an unauthorized user can be any action that may indicate the electronic device is being tampered with by being, for example, hacked, jailbroken, or unlocked."
“‘Jailbreaking’ of an electronic device can generally refer to tampering with the device to allow a user to gain access to digital resources that are normally hidden and protected from users."
“‘Unlocking’ of a cellular phone can generally refer to removing a restriction that ‘locks’ a cellular phone so it may only be used in specific countries or with specific network providers."
“Thus, in some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected if it is determined that the electronic device is being jailbroken or unlocked.”
Other, perhaps more serious concerns include the concept of a 'kill switch' which is intended to transmit data from an identified phone to a server and then wipe it. Other possibilities include a remote activation of the iPhone's camera, with a geo-tagged image uploaded to a server. Note that at the moment, a jailbroken iPhone is void of its warranty. However, jailbreaking can easily be reversed by simply restoring the device on iTunes. So, what do you all think? A step too far by Apple, or do they have the right to attempt to protect their product, regardless of their reasons? Leave your thoughts below.
Via: techradar
2 thoughts on “Apple Intends to Take on Jailbreak and Hacks Using Detection Software”
I love my iPhone as it’s a great device. I havent jailbroken it as I’d prefer to have a working iPhone than accidently ‘Brick it’. I’m sure if I really wanted to give it a go then it should be my choice and not Apple’s? I’ve purchased my iPhone, not loaned it from Apple, so it’s mine and I should be able to do with it what I want. If I want to jailbreak it it’s my choice. If I wnt to run Android OS on it, that too should be my choice.
Apple seem to be wanting control of every handset. If they continue with this, I fear they will alienate their customers and loose out to other brands. It’ll be a shame as this is all down to Steve’s Big Brother-like brain.
I’ve just had a thought. doesn’t MobileMe already have the functionality to ‘Find an iPhone’? Why does Apple need to take a photo and submit to a server? Whart would happen also if the ‘secret photo’ that was taken, was someone in the bath listening to music – Apple and their ‘XXX Rogues Gallary’. Nice lol