Apple says no one using Lockdown Mode has been hacked with spyware

Apple's Lockdown Mode has been put to the test for nearly four years now, and the tech giant claims it has yet to see a single instance of a device being hacked with spyware while the feature is enabled. This affirmation is significant, as it suggests that Apple devices with Lockdown Mode can withstand government spyware attacks. The security feature, which was introduced in 2022, is an opt-in series of protections that switches off certain features in iPhones and other Apple devices commonly exploited by hackers. Apple specifically designed Lockdown Mode to help at-risk customers defend themselves from the threats posed by government spyware made by companies like Intellexa, NSO Group, and Paragon Solutions.

The company has been proactive about notifying customers who have been targeted by spyware, sending numerous batches of notifications to users in over 150 countries. While Apple has not revealed the exact number of users it has notified, it's likely that dozens, if not more, have been alerted to potential hacking threats. Digital rights organizations like Amnesty International and the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab have documented several successful attacks on iPhone users, but none of these cases have mentioned a bypass of Lockdown Mode.

Experts say that Lockdown Mode is an important feature that makes it more difficult for spyware makers to attack Apple users. By eliminating many techniques used to exploit the iPhone, Lockdown Mode forces spyware makers to use more complex and expensive techniques. This is a significant milestone for the security feature, and it marks a significant step forward in Apple's efforts to protect its customers from government spyware.