Slashdot Mirror
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)
The harder it is for law enforcement to access an electronic device, the better our privacy and personal security. Well it sucks for law enforcement to be restricted from accessing the phones of criminals, that's a sacrifice we MUST allow, for all of us to have basic privacy and security.
Agreed. I only ever use the port for charging. Iâ(TM)d like it to be always locked.
It only disables data on the lightning port. You are still free to unlock via the passcode or other means.
Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
"Older iOS devices" probably won't get this feature since many of them aren't compatible with iOS 11.4, and it sounds like the feature automatically turns off when you start using the device again.
I'd rather personally give my PIN to any law enforcement officer who cared to ask for it than have this feature implemented.
I think the issue is more in regards to when they don't ask.
An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
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.
I certainly don't want my USB to permanently lock out the first time I don't touch my phone for a week.
By "permanently" I assume you mean "until I unlock my phone", and not really "permanently".
Better known as 318230.
I'm just going to put this here because I know where this topics going go.
First words out of your mouth when talking to law enforcement are as follows, "I want my lawyer."
Then you shut the fuck up till he gets there.
I read at +2. If your post doesn't reach that level I will not see or respond to it.
I use the port for charging only myself. It would be nice if iOS had a feature similar to Android that allows the device to choose what it presents itself as. For example, my current Android phone can present itself as an ADB device, MTP device, USB volume, or nothing at all, only allowing charging through the port.
I wouldn't mind a 1-2 hour timeout myself.
There isn't a key that only the Good guys can use, that the bad guys cannot obtain.
While I respect our law enforcement workers. And I understand their request for such a key. It is an issue that we cannot allow their job to be as easy as they want. Because I value my personal rights, and I don't want the bad guys being able to get in too.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
> If a company was known for renting vehicles explicitly for getaway cars, they would be shut down.
You pretty much answered your own question there.
Renting out cars is fine. Tailoring a service as getaway cars, and advertising getaway cars for criminals, would be unlawful.
> Many companies (Napster, AudioGalaxy) were shut down for helping with IP infringement.
And in those cases evidence was introduced, such as internal emails, showing that company executives were actively trying to get more infringing content added, such as paying people to add infringing content.
No, it should be user-specified. There's not a terribly good reason why you shouldn't be able to set 7 minutes, he sets 7 days, and I set 7 hours....
"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
I don't like the guy either, but you will need to find way to put some peace back to your life. Being angry and vindictive about this guy isn't helping. In under 6 Months, go out and vote your consciousness. While you may not be able to vote him out of office, you can vote for people who will stop his agenda.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Simple rule of thumb: Conservatives generally support law enforcement at the local level, but are often opposed to federal law enforcement agencies, such as the ATF, SEC, FTC, EEOC, etc. For liberals, it is the other way around.
Exceptions to this rule: DEA, ICE.
Muller doesn't have a wide open scope to investigate anything he wants there are limits. He's got to stick to the admittedly vaguely defined set of things or he's outside his authority. Manafort's alleged crimes happened in 2005, well before any election efforts by Trump and Muller was pointed at the Trump campaign and transition to investigate any possible Russian involvement/coordination in the 2016 campaign. You've got to admit this is a stretch to go back to 2005, a full decade before the campaign and charge somebody for something that has nothing to do with the campaign or involves Russians....
But... You obviously are surprised here and haven't though this through. The judge may dismiss, but all Muller has to do is change venues by convening another Grand Jury in another jurisdiction and charge again... Assuming the statute of limitations hasn't run out. Of course Manafort will have the same argument, but Muller is free to venue shop and get this to trial if he wants.
"File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
What are you talking about?
Conservatives love law enforcement at every level. They make up the bulk of the FBI/CIA (neither has ever had a Democrat lead it),. Sure, there's libertarians who aren't a fan of law enforcement, but that's because they're liberal (it's right in the name) on issues of personal rights.
From blackmailing MLK to kill himself to overthrowing popularly elected (leftist) governments in other countries, liberals are generally not fans of law enforcement (or the military) at any level.
-- Political fascism requires a Fuhrer.