Apple has reacted to the news that the United States national Security Agency has worked on iPhone spyware to remotely monitor users. The company says it has not cooperated with the agency on such projects and was not previously aware of those attempts.
"Apple has never worked with the NSA to create a backdoor in any of our products, including iPhone. Additionally, we have been unaware of this alleged NSA program targeting our products. We care deeply about our customers' privacy and security. Our team is continuously working to make our products even more secure, and we make it easy for customers to keep their software up to date with the latest advancements. Whenever we hear about attempts to undermine Apple's industry-leading security, we thoroughly investigate and take appropriate steps to protect our customers. We will continue to use our resources to stay ahead of malicious hackers and defend our customers from security attacks, regardless of who's behind them," the company's official statement to AllThingsD reads.
According to AppleInsider, the statement came after new documents showed the NSA has the capability of deploying software implants on the iPhone to grant access to onboard assets such as text messages, location data and even the microphone audio.
The leaked documents reveal that the NSA's iPhone targeting spyware program is called "DROPOUTJEEP" and it began in 2008. Capabilities of the software include the interception of SMS texts, access to onboard data and microphone activation as well as approximate posting via cell tower locations. The NSA boasts a 100 percent success rate in implanting its spyware on iOS devices, according got AppleInsider. However, the leaked documents suggest that physical contact with a target phone is required to implant the software.
Tell us what you think about Apple's statement. It is not the first company to have to issue a statement like this regarding the NSA's activities. Do you believe the statement? Comment and share your thoughts with us below.
