Apple: we can no longer bypass passcodes

Unlike previous iOS versions, Apple can no longer bypass the passcode of an iPhone or iPad with iOS 8. As a result, the company can no longer give the investigative services access to seized iPhones on request.

Until now, Apple was able to assist the investigation and security services when they requested access to a seized iPhone. In the case of iPads and iPhones with iOS 8, the company will no longer do that, because it simply says it can no longer do so. If a user sets a passcode, it will now be used to encrypt the data on the device; Apple does not know that code and therefore cannot access the data.

Incidentally, this only applies to data that is stored on the device itself; if a user allows the backup of photos, emails, and other data to iCloud, Apple can access that data. Although that data is encrypted, unlike with storage on the device, Apple does have the encryption key in its hands. The same goes for other cloud storage services.

It is unknown whether Apple’s decision to change encryption in iOS 8 to make it more difficult for the government to access it is a result of Edward Snowden’s NSA revelations. In any case, the company emphasizes that it has never built a backdoor into any product or service for a government, and that it never will. The company was accused of that.

IOS 8 has been available for download since Wednesday evening and offers users, among other things, a new notification center with interactive notifications. iOS 8 also has a tool on board, Health, with which users can keep track of data about their health.