Imagine the scene: law enforcement seizes an iPhone as part of an investigation, but after three days, surprise:the phone restarts by itself, thereby locking access to the valuable data it contains. A nightmare for investigators, but a benefit for users' privacy.
This surprising phenomenon was recently reported by representatives of the Detroit police. Without explanation, these unexpected restarts undermine their investigations. But a researcher may have just solved this mystery.
The track of iOS 18
Researcher Jiska Classen from the Hasso Plattner Institute carried out the investigation. According to his findings, an iPhone runningiOS 18 would restart automaticallyafter three days without unlocking. A feature that has so far gone unnoticed, but which could well be a new barrier for the security of our data.
This restart actually forces the iPhone to return to a state“before first unlocking”. Result: The encryption keys are locked in the Secure Enclave processor. Even if a thief keeps your iPhone on, they won't be able to access it with hacking tools.
The law enforcement conundrum
A question therefore arises! Are investigators totally powerless in the face of this new protection? Not quite, replies the researcher. Police still have a three-day window to access the data, provided they follow the correct procedures. Sufficient time, but which requires flawless coordination.
To make things even worse,iOS 18.2now offers to activate reinforced anti-theft protection. Previously buried in the settings, this option now more often requires biometric authentication in addition to the code. Enough to further complicate the task of criminals, but also of the police.
i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app
By : Keleops AG
