In Defiance, Apple Works On Making iPhone Harder To Hack

Following the hoopla concerning Apple's battle with the FBI over unlocking the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone comes a new report claiming the company is working on the development of new security measures that'll prevent it — and the government — from breaching the phones. This will be a big blow for law enforcement and various government agencies, which have sought backdoors to the encryption.

According to the New York Times, sources familiar with the issue state Apple has started working on new security measures for its smartphones that will dash any present success government agencies like the FBI may have with unlocking iPhones. These new security measures are said to predate the San Bernardino attack, and are underscored by the company's latest legal battle.

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Apple has reportedly had 'informal' talks with indie experts over this last week about the present security vulnerability and ways to fix it. The issue refers to the iPhone's troubleshooting system, which allows the company to push out updates sans the passcode. The FBI has demanded Apple write a special update that would remove the San Bernardino shooter's passcode, delivering through the troubleshooting system, and so Apple is now reportedly seeking to eliminate that functionality.

How the company may go about addressing that functionality, as well as what security measures are being developed, isn't known. Indeed, it is likely that while Apple considered many different aspects of iPhone security, it didn't consider whether it could one day be forced into violating its security measures. Increased security measures will likely not only frustrate government agencies, but also boost consumer reception toward the iPhone.

SOURCE: New York Times