U.S. Government Contractor Claims it Can Now Unlock Any iPhone Model

Cellebrite, an Israel-based vendor owned by Japan’s Sun Corporation, that has become the U.S. government’s company of choice when it comes to unlocking smartphones, has claimed that its engineers now have the ability to unlock every iPhone model in existence, including the iPhone X and iPhone 8/8 Plus running the latest version of iOS 11.

Iphone x

According to a report by Forbes, while Cellebrite hasn’t made any major public announcement about its new iOS capabilities, anonymous sources have revealed that the firm has developed undisclosed techniques to get into iOS 11 and is advertising them to law enforcement and private forensics folk across the globe. 

To take advantage of the Cellebrite service, which “can determine or disable the PIN, pattern, password screen locks or passcodes on the latest Apple iOS and Google Android devices,” cops have to send the device to Cellebrite first. In its labs, the company then uses whatever secret exploits it has to crack the lock and either hands it back to investigators so they can take data from the device, or Cellebrite can do that for them.

It is believed that Cellebrite may put its latest iPhone unlocking tech into the software it sells to customers. However, Don Vilfer, a partner at private forensics firm VAND Group, says that it would mean Apple could test the tool and potentially figure out a way to stop it working. 

Nonetheless, the ability to crack open almost any iOS device on the market is a significant moment for law enforcement, not just in North America, but across the globe.

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Aleks Oniszczak
Aleks Oniszczak
8 years ago

The title says “any” but your story says “almost any” – which is correct?

My 1/2 cents
My 1/2 cents
Reply to  Aleks Oniszczak
8 years ago

I suggest ignoring Usman’s write-ups. As you can see he’s deficient in English writing.

FREE?REIGN ??
FREE?REIGN ??
8 years ago

I’d say if they got you in jail then they have the key to unlock your phone.

Chrome262
Chrome262
Reply to  FREE?REIGN ??
8 years ago

you forget, boarder patrols for both sides, ask you to unlock your phone all the time, normal right are suspended at the boarder, but they still have to ask you. This will let them just do it. This sucks huge

My 1/2 cents
My 1/2 cents
Reply to  Chrome262
8 years ago

Asking is just a formality. Regardless of your answer, they still search your phone with or without your cooperation.

???? FreeReignGamesDotCom
Reply to  Chrome262
8 years ago

What could they possibly be looking for in the few minutes that they have your phone in their hands? Can you say no without repercussions?

Chrome262
Chrome262
Reply to  ???? FreeReignGamesDotCom
8 years ago

you can’t, if you don’t agree to let them in, they can detain you, and or refuse you entry. if you are Canadian they will fine you, and I think you can get charged. its really shitty

My 1/2 cents
My 1/2 cents
8 years ago

“U.S. Government Contractor Claims it Can Now Unlock Any iPhone Model”

Someone should tell the contractor that we can buy an unlocked iPhone from Apple directly.

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