Data Backup Digest

There has been a lot of news surrounding Apple iPhone encryption over the past few years. From a legal fight in 2016 to block access to an iPhone that was once owned by a slain Islamic sympathizer and murderer to recent pressure by U.S. lawmakers to downgrade their encryption methods, it seems that Apple has faced a lot of scrutiny for being a little too secure.

Much to their credit, Apple certainly seems to be taking the side of consumer privacy. In an age where digital information is highly sought by hackers, the development team with Apple serves as a major opponent to their best efforts.

As such, it's easy to see why they moved so quickly to take down a recent tweet as well as multiple Reddit posts that publicized several methods and consumer tools for hacking iPhones. Specifically, Apple used the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to target a tweet that contained a encryption key for the Secure Enclave Processor – a critical part of the iPhone platform that is primarily responsible for securing personal data.

While they ultimately retracted their takedown request, and eventually asked Twitter to replace the post, the incident quickly sparked controversy across the Internet. Although some users agreed with Apple's original stance, others are left questioning whether or not an encryption key is subject to protection via the DMCA.

But the recent tweet is only the latest event in a string of attacks that are actively undermining the iPhone's ability to safeguard personal data. In September 2019, a hacking tool made it possible to jailbreak various iOS devices – including the 2017 iPhone X – and remove some of the internal data safeguards of these devices.

Just a few weeks later, another jailbreak tool was released for any devices running iOS 13. As this happens to be the current version of Apple's mobile operating system, the potential ramifications were enormous.

However, it's important to note that neither of these tools works with the newest iPhones that were released in 2018 or 2019. But these aren't the only obstacles Apple has faced as of late.

In another move, Apple recently sued a company known as Corellium for releasing iPhone virtualization software. They faced criticism then, too, as security researchers claim the company is trying to keep a tight lid on any potential iPhone vulnerabilities.

Most iOS users, however, agree with Apple's recent moves. Although some might view their reactions as overly protective, many consumers are starting to see Apple as the good guy in this fight. Even in the face of pressure from U.S. senators and lawmakers, they're still sticking to their guns and taking a very pro-consumer stance.

How all of these recent events will ultimately play out is anybody's guess. Although they've already seen fallout in the wake of their recent lawsuits and takedown requests, the Apple operating system remains one of the most secure platforms available today. While the development team with Apple is clearly serving as a champion for consumers, will they be able to withstand the increased pressure from governments around the world?