Lockdown Mode prevented FBI from getting into reporter’s iPhone
9to5Mac • • technology
Key Points:
- The FBI raided Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home in January as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information, seizing multiple electronic devices including an iPhone 13 and a MacBook Pro.
- Despite the seizure, the FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) was unable to extract data from Natanson’s iPhone because it was protected by Apple’s Lockdown Mode, which prevents access to the device to defend against sophisticated cyber attacks.
- Lockdown Mode, available on iOS 16 and later, is an extreme security feature designed for individuals at high risk of targeted digital threats, limiting many device functions and connections to reduce vulnerabilities.
- Court documents filed shortly after the raid confirm that the FBI had
