'Secret software': Your iPhone could be used to spy on you, says Snowden

Whistleblower's lawyer says iPhone has a software that can activate itself and gather information about the owner


Web Desk January 22, 2015
A file photo of Edward Snowden. PHOTO: REUTERS

National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Edward Snowden has revealed the iPhone has a secret spyware that allows governments to watch users without their knowledge.

Snowden’s lawyer claims the whistleblower doesn’t use a phone because of the secret software, according to The Independent.

"Edward never uses an iPhone, he’s got a simple phone," his lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena told Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

"The iPhone has a special software that can activate itself without the owner having to press a button and gather information about him, that’s why on security grounds, he refused to have this phone," Kucherena added.

Apple has been active in making the iPhone harder for security services to spy on, and the company said that iOS 8 made it impossible for law enforcement to extract users’ personal data, even if they have a warrant.

The company has also been active in campaigning for privacy reform after the Snowden revelations, joining with Facebook and Google to call for changes to the law.

But recently published files from the NSA showed that British agency GCHQ used the phones' UDIDs — the unique identifier that each iPhone has — to track users. While there doesn’t seem to be any mention of such spying software in any of the revelations so far, a range of documents are thought to be still unpublished.

COMMENTS (2)

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 9 years ago | Reply

It is not only the case of I-Phone users, but all governments collect data of every type of cellular phone in the entire world.

Billions of dollars are spent every year to peep into personal conversations and reading text messages about personal affairs, no body is spared by the intelligence agencies.

The "Electronic Armies" works 24/7, 365 days in a year to gather information in order to secure their respective borders.

Maqsood Baluch | 9 years ago | Reply

Downright unethical , immoral and a criminal activity by the so called peacemakers of this world , bringing more enemosity and hatered amongst peace loving citizens of countries in termoil to further there own cause to be the superpower and rule the world,also furthering the exports of their arms and ammunition through out the world to maximize their economy . Use your sattelites , drones and other materials to get more information , please leave the peace loving men,women , youth and children to have a good time to live up their lives . STOP SPYWARE ON IPHONE . THANKS .

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ