Apple iOS Backdoor: Snowden says iPhone is a Government Spy
Edward Snowden, the infamous former contractor for the National Security Agency who leaked thousands of pages of previously classified NSA intelligence documents, reportedly thinks that Apple's iPhone has "unique computer software" that authorities can activate remotely to be in a position to gather details about the user.
"Edward never utilizes an iPhone he's got a very simple telephone," said the lawyer of Snowden, Anatoly Kucherena, in an interview with the Russian media business RIA Novosti.
"The iPhone has a special application that can activate itself without the need of the owner obtaining to press a button and gather facts about him that is why on security grounds he refused to have this telephone," Kucherena added.
It is not clear if the "special software program" getting referred to in the interview is created up of common diagnostic tools, or if the NSA whistleblower thinks intelligence agencies from the United States have discovered a way to compromise the mobile operating system developed by Apple.
Apple was amongst the very first organizations accused of participating in the PRISM data-mining project of the NSA, following the release by Snowden of the agency's classified documents. The project reportedly involved extracting video, audio, pictures, documents, emails and connection logs from devices, permitting analysts to track the movement of the device's user and the communications that they are getting or sending out. At the time the accusations were quickly denied by Apple, stating that the organization is not involved in the PRISM project and that it does not grant government agencies direct access to any Apple's servers.
Succeeding leaks showed that the NSA developed spyware that would target iPhones, allowing intelligence agencies to access messages, live microphone feeds, data contained in the devices and location information.
Apple stated that the firm has under no circumstances been involved with the NSA in the creation of backdoor software for any of the company's items. In addition, Apple mentioned that it is not conscious of any alleged programs by the NSA to target the company's merchandise such as the iPhone, as the firm values the security and privacy of its users.
