Apple Denies Giving UDIDs to FBI

[Michael Essany]

As MMi reported Tuesday, iOS device owners were given a jolt by reports that their UDID may have been leaked to the public.

Taking credit for the act was a group of hackers known as Antisec. They claimed to gave have exploited a file on the computer of an FBI agent - a move that allegedly helped them leak over one million unique device identifiers (UDID) that were contained in the particular computer file.

Not surprisingly, this development prompted a number of interesting questions and troubling concerns. For starters, why was this information supposedly on an FBI computer? Also, who gave the information to the agency? Was it Apple?

Today, some - but far from all - of the questions are being answered. In this case, it's Apple doing the answering. For now, the iDevice maker denies having given the FBI any of the sensitive information found in the hack attack.

"The FBI has not requested this information from Apple, nor have we provided it to the FBI or any organization. Additionally, with iOS 6 we introduced a new set of APIs meant to replace the use of the UDID and will soon be banning the use of UDID,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris tells All Things D.

For now, the FBI is calling details of this hack job false, adding that “at this time there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data.”

Source: All Things D

[unison999]

FBI sting with fake UDID?
FBI hacked Apple for the UDID?
FBI caught someone who hacked Apple and got the UDID?
There is many many possibilities, don't care anymore because I am switching out of iDevices.

[raduga]

ha, no.

It was SAMSUNG who stole the UDIDs, and used them to infringe on Apple's patents, Samsung tried to work out a deal with the FBI to avoid criminal liability, but that fell through and the FBI seized the list outright.

FBI is mostly correct. There was never any stolen laptop. A rogue agent deliberately leaked the codes to Antisec, allegedly "for teh lulz".

[LittleJob]

FBI sting with fake UDID?
FBI hacked Apple for the UDID?
FBI caught someone who hacked Apple and got the UDID?
There is many many possibilities, don't care anymore because I am switching out of iDevices.

to a less secure android device? lol or a lovely windows phone?

[feidhlim1986]

to a less secure android device? lol or a lovely windows phone?

No more secure than iOS

[PokemonDesigner]

Antisect clearly hacked the FBI who hacked Apple. It's a never ending circle of hacks. Not to mention never ending lies from the FBI to make themselves look innocent when we all know of all of the illegal things and wrongdoings they have done.

[trek-life]

Why do people feel the need to announce that they are changing devices? lol

Like its an actual DEAL. So what, call your family on whatever device you want, why does it matter?

[unison999]

to a less secure android device? lol or a lovely windows phone?

I am smart enough to know how to secure my own data and not depend on some manufacturer to protect it.
Last I checked Apple was hacked and data was stolen before.

[hitman10]

I am smart enough to know how to secure my own data and not depend on some manufacturer to protect it.
Last I checked Apple was hacked and data was stolen before.

Doesn't look that way by the other post you posted in this thread.

[Orby]

Doesn't look that way by the other post you posted in this thread.

Play nicely, children.

--OT: I actually don't think this leak originated from Apple (i.e., I actually believe their PR department today). Common sense dictates that Apple's database (and the database Apple would hand over to the Feds if subpoenaed/asked) would include every single iDevice ever made, and a lot more personal information about the users of those iDevices.

[bigboyz]

Well..doesn't Google give more than just UDID's?? hahaha. I mean lets think about this..my personal info VS my phone's ID..umm yeah no brainer.

[H4CK3R]

Where the heck did they get them is the question that still remains.

[Modding life]

I am smart enough to know how to secure my own data and not depend on some manufacturer to protect it.
Last I checked Apple was hacked and data was stolen before.

Yes apple was hacked before but its something that every smartphone has to deal with there is not much they can do about it

[santacruzlocal]

to a less secure android device? lol or a lovely windows phone?

I was thinking the same thing!

[unison999]

Doesn't look that way by the other post you posted in this thread.

The other post in this thread I was guessing how/why FBI have UDID or even if they are legitimate UDID.
UDID I can not control/change/secure it, even if something happen to it it is Apple's fault. If something happen to my account, Apple will be responsible for any damages. Just waiting for Samsung or htc to come out with something after iPhone 5 release, then I will switch out of iOS device and change my data to bogus info so there would not be a security issue even if someone hacks into Apple to get it.

Something to think about:
If hackers got legitimate UDID and Apple said they did not give them to FBI, then there is security issues with Apple because FBI or someone else hacked into Apple for them. I said someone else because FBI might have caught someone and this is evidence the hackers hacked into.

[cpotoso]

Yeah, like either apple or the fbi are going to admit ILLEGALLY sharing/giving/spying this information.

[unison999]

Yeah, like either apple or the fbi are going to admit ILLEGALLY sharing/giving/spying this information.

Why would you presume it would be illegal.
If FBI have a reason to get UDID and the judge they went to who gave them the authority to get it from Apple, it would be totally legal for FBI to have these UDID.

[Modding life]

Why would you presume it would be illegal.
If FBI have a reason to get UDID and the judge they went to who gave them the authority to get it from Apple, it would be totally legal for FBI to have these UDID.

Lol you are right about that but to get
Authority for all them uuids would be hard as hell

[Mrteacup]

Oh my god guys, IPhones are more secure why? Well secure doesn't mean unexploitable like jailbreak ing it means that you can't accidentally download stuff that ruins your phone. It's not open source which means you can't download stuff apple doesn't approve

[NakedFaerie]

Nobody believes the FBI as they lie and nobody believes Apple as they also lie and dont have a clue most of the time.
I would believe the hackers as they have the file and they tell us how they got it. It sounds more believable than what the FBI and Apple have said.