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iOS 11.4 Disables Lightning Connector After 7 Days, Limiting Law Enforcement Access (macrumors.com)
hyperclocker shares a report from Mac Rumors: The iOS 11.4 update, currently being beta tested, includes a USB Restricted Mode that introduces a week-long expiration date on access to the Lightning port on your iOS devices if your phone hasn't been unlocked, which has implications for law enforcement tools like the GrayKey box. USB Restricted Mode was outlined this morning by Elcomsoft after testing confirmed that the feature has indeed been enabled. In Elcomsoft's experience, after an iPhone or iPad has been updated to iOS 11.4, if it hasn't been unlocked or connected to a paired computer in the last 7 days using a passcode, the Lightning port is useless for data access and limited to charging.
"At this point, it is still unclear whether the USB port is blocked if the device has not been unlocked with a passcode for 7 consecutive days; if the device has not been unlocked at all (password or biometrics); or if the device has not been unlocked or connected to a trusted USB device or computer," reports Elcomsoft. "In our test, we were able to confirm the USB lock after the device has been left idle for 7 days. During this period, we have not tried to unlock the device with Touch ID or connect it to a paired USB device. What we do know, however, is that after the 7 days the Lightning port is only good for charging."
"At this point, it is still unclear whether the USB port is blocked if the device has not been unlocked with a passcode for 7 consecutive days; if the device has not been unlocked at all (password or biometrics); or if the device has not been unlocked or connected to a trusted USB device or computer," reports Elcomsoft. "In our test, we were able to confirm the USB lock after the device has been left idle for 7 days. During this period, we have not tried to unlock the device with Touch ID or connect it to a paired USB device. What we do know, however, is that after the 7 days the Lightning port is only good for charging."
Just like I disabled TouchID and the passcode. I just want easy access.
Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
Agreed. I only ever use the port for charging. Iâ(TM)d like it to be always locked.
Yep, a week is much too long.
Why would you even need data access when it's locked anyway? How hard is it to unlock it when you need that?
No sig today...
I have older iOS devices that I sometimes go weeks at a time leaving them untouched on the shelf but I pick them up to play with once in a while. Heck, I go on vacations greater than week a couple of times a year and since I don't want to bother with roaming, I leave my primary phone at home. I certainly don't want my USB to permanently lock out the first time I don't touch my phone for a week. I'd rather personally give my PIN to any law enforcement officer who cared to ask for it than have this feature implemented.
Why does this feature bother you? It doesn't brick the phone, it just disables USB data until you unlock the phone, once unlocked everything is back to normal. My only issue with the feature is that the lockout should be more like 7 minutes instead of 7 days.
Wrong. US Customs was/is asking to view and download data from travelers' devices.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/usa-border-phones-search-1.4494371
Blanket sweep, no warrant, no stated purpose, no rules on what was done with your data.