Apple is advancing the implementation of "USB restricted mode" which makes it difficult for the investigation institution to unlock the iPhone

Byiphonedigital

The police and other investigation institutions can unlock the user's iOS terminal freely including suspects of the case and extract the contents "GrayKeyIt has become definite that Apple will carry out improvements to make it difficult to use. From "iOS 12", which is supposed to be released in the autumn of 2018, a terminal that is not unlocked for more than one hour is considered to invalidate the data communication function using the USB cable.

Apple to undercut popular law-enforcement tool for cracking iPhones | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-iphone-cracking/apple-to-undercut-popular-law-enforcement-tool-for-cracking-iphones-idUSKBN1J92ZY

Apple Confirms Plans to Disable Law Enforcement Access to iPhone via Tools Like GrayKey Box - Mac Rumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/13/apple-usb-restricted-mode-ios-12/

Apple has implemented measures to prevent data from being stolen by third parties other than the user by encrypting the data inside the terminal. However, with this specification, there was the fact that it was difficult for police and other investigative agencies to analyze the terminal used for crime. Between the investigation agency and Apple, intense battle over this matter has been spread, but a mysterious device that will allow you to see the contents by connecting with a terminal with a USB cable "GrayKey"The emergence of the situation, the situation was found to be raised by the investigation institution side.

The US State Department bought a service to unlock iPhone by just 5000 yen - GIGAZINE


GrayKey is a device in which two Lightning cables extend from the main unit, and it is a terrible device that can cancel passcode if you connect an iPhone whose contents you want to extract to this cable. Apple has been stepping up requesting unlocking cooperation requests from the authorities in order to protect users, but GrayKey made it possible to freely view the contents without making such "wish" Apple. It was.


In response to this situation, Apple plans to implement measures on iOS that imposes certain restrictions on communication via USB cable. Already at iOS 11.4.1If you leave the terminal for 7 days data communication will be disabled and restrict access by the investigative authority USB limit modeAlthough it was confirmed, it became obvious that in the latest version of iOS 12 Beta at the time of writing the article was changed to the setting to activate the USB limit mode once locked state lasted 1 hour.

It is impossible to "unlock external from the outside" function on iOS or if you leave the terminal for 1 hour, data communication via Lightning port is impossible - GIGAZINE


And Apple finally acknowledged Reuters to install this enhanced USB limit mode. Although this restriction mode can be set by the user freely on / off, it is on in the default state and it seems that it will become usable from the moment of updating to iOS 12. In other words, iOS terminal users will be able to enjoy the benefits of this data protection by updating to iOS 12.


When the USB limit mode is enabled, communications using Lightning cable will be shut out, but charging can be done as before. Also, even if the terminal was in the USB limit mode, if the user unlocks the terminal with Face ID or Touch ID, it will be possible to communicate back to the original.

On the other hand, GrayKey has not revealed what kind of mechanism has unlocked the terminal, but there is no doubt about the fact that "data is exchanged via USB", this time Apple's It seems that it will receive the influence of the measure rightly. The attention is likely to gather here as well what kind of measures GrayKey side will take.