Published 4 months ago • loading... • Updated 4 months ago

FBI Stymied by Apple's Lockdown Mode After Seizing Journalist's iPhone

On Jan. 14, FBI agents seized Hannah Natanson's iPhone during a raid, but a Jan. 30 court filing shows Lockdown Mode blocked the FBI Computer Analysis Response Team from accessing it.
Apple says Lockdown Mode is an 'extreme protection' introduced in 2022 that limits message attachments, restricts web features, and blocks accessory connections unless the device is unlocked.
The FBI Computer Analysis Response Team failed to extract data from the seized iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, and agents recovered only limited SIM card data with a telephone number report.
Civil liberties groups warn the seizure threatens press protections under the 1980 federal law on newsgathering materials, while Attorney General Pam Bondi says the leak has significant national security implications.
The episode highlights Lockdown Mode's real-world effectiveness at blocking forensic tools from companies like Cellebrite, though its tradeoffs may be worth it for high-risk users and frustrate law enforcement forensic teams.

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31 Articles

ZDNet

Center

How to lock down your iPhone to the extreme - so even the FBI can't get in

Lockdown Mode defends your iPhone against cyber attacks and can block forensic tools after an FBI seizure. Here's how.

4 months ago·United States

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Lifehacker

Center

Apple's 'Lockdown Mode' Could Stop the Government From Breaking Into Your iPhone

Apple's Lockdown Mode is powerful enough to stop the FBI from breaking into your iPhone, but you probably don't want to use it.

4 months ago

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El Periódico

Center

The Fbi Tried to Access His Cell Phone, but This Function Prevented Him: so You Can Activate It.

A Washington Post reporter prevents U.S. federal police from accessing communications from their iPhone thanks to an Apple-activated function in 2022 that strengthens the protection of devices from specialized cyberattacks

4 months ago·Barcelona, Spain

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Mashable

Left

What is Lockdown Mode on iPhone and how do you enable it?

The iPhone feature is getting press after foiling the FBI. But just know it's "extreme protection."

4 months ago·United States

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Tech Radar

Center

Even the FBI can't crack the iPhone's Lockdown Mode – security service says it 'could not extract' data from reporter's phone

Ultra protection against attacks

4 months ago·United Kingdom

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Moneycontrol

Lean Right

Apple’s Lockdown Mode stopped FBI from unlocking iPhone of a Washington Post journalist, report reveals

Court records show the FBI was unable to access a seized iPhone because Apple’s Lockdown Mode was enabled, highlighting how the iPhone’s security feature can limit phone access even during investigations.

4 months ago·India

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