IPhone security concerns: researcher highlights access to personal data

Global Business

Concern is growing among iPhone users over the safety of their personal data after the discovery of some backdoor entries into the iOS operating system. CCTV America’s Mark Niu reports from San Francisco with the details.

Forensic Scientist, Jonathan Zdziarski posted this video on YouTube, showing how text messages, contacts and photos could be extracted from iPhones and iPads through methods un-publicized at the time.

Apple responded by putting out a statement that acknowledges the existence of the data transmission. But the company points out that a user must have unlocked their device and agreed to trust another computer before that computer can access what it referred to as diagnostic data.

ReadWrite, Editor in Chief Owen Thomas does not believe Apple intended to create the vulnerability. While Apple has denied working alongside governments to create security back-doors. Thomas says if Apple doesn’t find a better balance, hackers will strike. Thomas actually calls the “backdoor” out of character for Apple, which prides itself on tight security. But so far Apple has brushed aside concerns, providing little information on whether any changes in security are in store.

Allan Friedman is a Visiting Scholar at the Cyber Security Policy Research Institute,  at George Washington University. He is also the co-author of Cybersecurity and Cyberwar:  What Everyone Needs to Know. He joins CCTV America on the cyber privacy issue.