Apple begins shipping ‘rooted’ iPhones to Security Agencies

Earlier this year, Apple decided to go an extra mile to ensure that every iOS device is completely secure and has no vulnerabilities. The company decided to launch a program called “Apple Security Research Device Program”. The architecture of this program required applications from researchers all around and then accepting some according to their credentials. These researchers will test the devices and find bugs in any functionalities including content transfer between the devices.

Rooted iPhones

Apple opened the registration for the program from June and is now done with the registration. The testing iPhones are being sent to the accepted researchers. The shipped iPhones are jailbroken to enable them for deeper testing. Through jailbreaking, or “Rooting”, all the restrictions are removed from the iPhone which will also allow third-party software from outside the app store. The devices will soon reach the researchers and according to some reports, researchers are already notified of the shipment.

Research

As these devices will give Shell access to allow researchers to use any tool they want, this will facilitate an in-depth review of the devices. If the researchers are successful in finding the bugs in the devices, Apple will reward them too. The Security Research Devices(SRDs) have to be on the premises of the participants at all times and are not meant for any personal use.

Eligibility Criteria

Apple laid out an eligibility criteria for the selection of researchers. To be a part of Apple Security Research Device Program, the applicant must also be a membership account holder in Apple Developer Program. Not only a member of the program but has to have a proven record of finding security issues in other operating systems or Apple too.

Final Words

From all the steps that Apple has been taking, we found out that Apple is taking security quite seriously and is setting the trend for other service providers as well. The confidence Apple is showing with the announcement of reward for any participant who finds a bug in the device is also making the consumers confident about the device already. Even we are quite confident about the new releases Apple is going to give us in the near future. Let’s see if all of this produces the desired results for Apple