With its role as the major player in mobile computing and maker of multiplatform software, Apple looked likely to place highly in the Electronic Frontier Foundations holiday “wish list,” or in other words: hit list. However, Apple found itself mentioned in only one item.
Apple was mentioned along with other makers of mobile phones and tablet devices over root access.
Apple, Amazon, HTC, and other makers of mobile computing devices should give customers an officially documented way to get root access on every device they sell.
For Apple, this is all about jail breaking iPhones, which runs counter to Apple’s closed environment model. There are concerns on both sides of the issue around security: Apple says the closed model makes its software more reliable and the mobile platform more secure; jail breakers provide a vector for iOS malware, Also, since Apple policies and software updates may screw up a user’s software, owners may grow reticent to install software updates, thus lowering their iOS devices’ security profile.
Apple was not mentioned by name in a request about browser security.
Browser vendors should improve private browsing modes to fix security problems identified by researchers, and also provide a convenient way to use Tor in private browsing modes.
It’s an interesting list. Take a look.
