Apple Initiatives Target State-Sponsored Spyware

07 JULY 2022 - A couple of hardcore security moves from Apple on Wednesday. Well… announced by Apple on Wednesday. The Cupertino-company issued a press release announcing a tool for potential targets of state-sponsored spyware, as well as a lot of money to study such threats.

On the announced tool, Apple says Lockdown Mode will make its way to folks this fall inside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. According to the release:

Lockdown Mode offers an extreme, optional level of security for the very few users who, because of who they are or what they do, may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from NSO Group and other private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware.

Sounds like Apple’s talking human rights activists, some journalists, heads of corporations maybe. Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of Security Engineering and Architecture, was quoted in the press release, saying:

While the vast majority of users will never be the victims of highly targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect the small number of users who are. That includes continuing to design defenses specifically for these users, as well as supporting researchers and organizations around the world doing critically important work in exposing mercenary companies that create these digital attacks.

Speaking of which - Apple has pledged $10 million (plus any damages it wins from its lawsuit against NSO Group) “to support organizations that investigate, expose, and prevent highly targeted cyberattacks, including those created by private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware.”

Administered through the Dignity and Justice Fund, the release says the first part of the $10 million grant is expected to go out to researchers by late this year, or early 2023.