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iOS 9.3 Will Tell You If Your Employer Is Monitoring Your iPhone (mashable.com)

Posted by yaelk on from the are-you-being-watched dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Nobody likes being monitored. But even if you suspected your company is following your activities on the iPhone, would you know where to check? In the next iteration of its smartphone operating system, iOS 9.3, Apple is looking to make this an easier task. According to Reddit user MaGNeTiX, the latest beta of iOS 9.3 has a message telling users their iPhone is being supervised. The message is as prominent as can be, both on the device's lock screen and in the About section. "This iPhone is managed by your organization," the message on the lock screen says. And in the About screen, you get a little more detail, with a message saying your iPhone's supervisor can monitor your Internet traffic and locate your device.

7 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. You should already assume this by JeffOwl · · Score: 4, Informative

    My employer already has a notice on the lock screen about monitoring, but even if they didn't, anyone who has a device managed by their employer should assume it is being monitored unless proven otherwise.

  2. You should but how many will? by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sure it's obvious to technical people like us that a company issued phone is going to be monitored and administered remotely.

    But how many non-technical people would know enough to assume that? It's for those people the prominent message can help them think twice before doing something with the company device they may regret later,

    If you think about it, it's even helpful for technical people - because as you say, a technical user would assume a company phone would be monitored and controlled. So if you do NOT see this message on a company device you can ask your IT staff why the hell they are not using MDM to control the devices.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:You should but how many will? by SirSlud · · Score: 4, Insightful

      If people had common sense, they wouldn't keep assuming things are common sense.

      --
      "Old man yells at systemd"
    2. Re:You should but how many will? by NormalVisual · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I had a bit of a row with management a couple of years back over this. They wanted me to install Outlook on my personal phone, and I refused because of the remote management capabilities. I don't care who you are, it's not your phone and I'm not going to give you the ability to remote wipe it, monitor me, have access to passwords, etc. If it's important enough that I need to be able to be contacted via cell phone, then give me a company phone expressly for that purpose and don't be surprised if it gets left at home when I go out.

      --
      Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas
  3. Even better by PPH · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Include an alert if your phone has negotiated an unencrypted connection with the nearest "cell tower" (aka Stingray). Like my Motorola Razr v3 does.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  4. To access their network by sjbe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why would someone let your employer monitor YOUR iphone?

    The employer may require it as a condition of letting you attach your device to their network. You don't have to let them monitor your phone but they don't have to let you access their network with it either.

    1. Re:To access their network by SeaFox · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Why would someone let your employer monitor YOUR iphone?

      The employer may require it as a condition of letting you attach your device to their network. You don't have to let them monitor your phone but they don't have to let you access their network with it either.

      Yup. Bring Your Own Device is just corporate new-speak for "externalizing equipment costs to our employees".