Jailbreaking IPhones -Threat to National Security?

The iPhone and iPod continues to grow in popularity. Apple's revenue and profits continue to rise despite the current economic downturn the U.S. is experiencing. Over 40 million iPhones and iPod touches have been sold and iTunes have reached the 1.5 billion mark for their related applications. The Flickr's camera finder has reported the iPhone is its most popular source of uploaded Flicker images says Electronista. iTunes online store market share of digital music sales is hovering around 69% reports NDP Group. Wal-Mart is second with a 14% market share. iPhone and iPod Touch are dominating Wi-Fi usage, accounting for 32 percent share according to network device manufacturer Meraki.

This growing popularity of the iPhone and its apps has the U.S. Copyright Office involved in a debate with Apple concerning jailbroken iPhones. The Copyright Office received a filing from the Electronic Frontier Foundation to legalize the jailbreaking of iPhone's. Jailbreaking is a hacking method which enables the hacker of the iPhone to access more control over the internal diagnostic procedure of the phone. With this increased control it is possible to alter the phones operations. Apple is arguing that jailbroken iPhones can be a threat to national security.

In their response filing, Apple commented, a jailbroken iPhone would make it possible to install unapproved apps in the phone which pose a threat to the nation's cell phone networks. It is their contention hacker would be able to use the jailbroken iphone to alter the baseband processor software within the phone. Once accessed, the hacker could cause cell tower software to crash. This would result in cell phone service interruption. Apple also warned that jailbreaking makes it possible for hackers to change internal iPhone ID numbers. This would make it possible for criminals and terrorist to make anonymous cell phone calls throughout the nation's networks. Citing concern for the potential use by cyper attackers, Apple vehemently expressed their opposition to the request for the legalization of jailbreaking iPhones.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation argument does not include concern for national security issues. Jailbreaking an iPhone is the owner's right. Investigating, experimenting and altering the product may be necessary to adapt it for the special needs of its owner. Jailbreaking an iPhone in and of itself poses any threat to national security. Jailbreaking is a product customization process. In extreme cases an individual may possibly uncover nefarious processes. This is true of many electronic products and applications available. However, that does not make them national security threats and banned from customization. No decision has been handed down on the Electronic Frontier Foundation U.S. Copyright Office request to legalize jailbreaking iPhones.

Resource: iNews - iPhone Life - Fall, 2009

Tags: iphone, ipod, ipod touch, itunes, apple