 Apple designed Lockdown Mode for people facing grave threats, but we're seeing it work in practice against federal forensics. During a recent investigation into a journalist, the FBI reported that it was unable to extract any data from an iPhone because the feature was enabled. It is rare for a software setting to hold its own against professional, state-level tools. 🔒 The strength of this mode comes from how it drastically reduces the attack surface of the device. By disabling just-in-time JavaScript and blocking most message attachments, it removes the entry points that forensic tools like GrayKey typically exploit. It also forces the device into a state in which biometrics are disabled, requiring a passcode that often carries stronger legal protections during a search.

🧠 Lockdown Mode specifically blocks wired data connections used by extraction hardware.
⚡ The FBI confirmed in court filings that its Computer Analysis Response Team was blocked.
🎓 Using this mode requires giving up features like shared photo albums and link previews.
🔍 Apple offers a $2 million bounty for anyone who can bypass these specific protections.

https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/02/04/iphone-lockdown-mode-will-protect-your-data-even-from-the-fbi
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