Apple issues statement saying it didn't give UDIDs to FBI
After a hacking group claimed it had obtained millions of unique identifiers for Apple devices from an FBI laptop, Apple itself has issued a statement saying it did not provide any UDIDs to the FBI.
"The FBI has not requested this information from Apple, nor have we provided it to the FBI or any organization," spokesperson Natalie Kerris said to All Things D. "Additionally, with iOS 6 we introduced a new set of APIs meant to replace the use of UDID and will soon be banning the use of UDID."
The statement came after the hacking group AntiSec posted the unique device identifiers of 1 million iPhones and iPads this week. AntiSec claimed the unique 40-character UDIDs were stolen from an FBI laptop, and that it had a total of nearly 12.4 million UDIDs
But the FBI issued its own statement refuting those claims, stating AntiSec's allegations were false. The bureau also distanced itself from the gathering of private information such as UDIDs, saying there is no evidence tying the agency to the purported UDID leak.
"The FBI is aware of published reports alleging that an FBI laptop was compromised and private data regarding Apple UDIDs was exposed," the statement read. "At this time there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data."
"The FBI has not requested this information from Apple, nor have we provided it to the FBI or any organization," spokesperson Natalie Kerris said to All Things D. "Additionally, with iOS 6 we introduced a new set of APIs meant to replace the use of UDID and will soon be banning the use of UDID."
The statement came after the hacking group AntiSec posted the unique device identifiers of 1 million iPhones and iPads this week. AntiSec claimed the unique 40-character UDIDs were stolen from an FBI laptop, and that it had a total of nearly 12.4 million UDIDs
But the FBI issued its own statement refuting those claims, stating AntiSec's allegations were false. The bureau also distanced itself from the gathering of private information such as UDIDs, saying there is no evidence tying the agency to the purported UDID leak.
"The FBI is aware of published reports alleging that an FBI laptop was compromised and private data regarding Apple UDIDs was exposed," the statement read. "At this time there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data."
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
The statement came after the hacking group AntiSec posted the unique device identifiers of 1 million million iPhones and iPads
That's a lot of iPhones!
But good to know they didn't, on the record.
Unlike the reactionaries who started screaming about lost liberties, evil government and the like? Or the reactionaries who started applauding? It would be interesting to see if these hackers are lying about how exactly how they obtained this info.
Some app developer named Francois Bernard Ives (initials FBI) got his laptop hacked, containing some old records related to legitimate push notifications for his service. The media piled on, for the journalistic purpose of advertising car insurance and antidepressants. Hilarity ensued.
This is my expectation of the real story.
So the FBI isn't denying the evidence came from it, just that there is no evidence linking the data to it.
@nagromme
most likely. I have a database of about 5000 UDIDs. so, if it's a popular app, 12 million makes sense.
It's an election year and I have to decide whether it is the FBI or the hackers that are lying? Good grief...
Quote:
Originally Posted by katastroff
most likely. I have a database of about 5000 UDIDs. so, if it's a popular app, 12 million makes sense.
Wow. That many?
Is it possible they could have just found these things lying around in Internet forums and such? I don't know how secretive people are about their UDID....
Quote:
Originally Posted by AbsoluteDesignz
Interesting...I didn't see any site - even the most die-hard Android site - suggest that they did...
But good to know they didn't, on the record.
Except for maybe this idiot: http://fredericjacobs.com/identifying-the-traitor
Looks like Tim is going to have to quadruple down on secrecy next time.
Couldn't resist! :-)
Oh, no! If you can't trust internet rumors and allegations from shady organizations, what can you trust?
Of course the FBI stole this info somehow. They need it for "Homeland Security" purposes. You know, keep their eye on the bad guys, wink, wink. Only the FBI would be so certain of their invulnerability to keep such a file unencrypted and sitting on a Windows laptop ( a cheap-assed Dell, no less). The hackers probably got a few Gb of child porn that was also on their for "research" purposes, naturally.
Originally Posted by JollyPaul
Oh, no! If you can't trust internet rumors and allegations from shady organizations, what can you trust?
Samsung?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macky the Macky
Of course the FBI stole this info somehow.
So you readily accept the hackers word and dismiss the FBI as lying child pornographers even though they have denied any involvement with UDIDs. More likely the hackers stole the information and are attempting to implicate the FBI in some wrongdoing because they are angry that the FBI is hunting down their members and putting them in jail.
The FBI also denies that it has ever owned any laptops. Any evidence to the contrary has obviously been falsified by "evildoers".
and who the hell is he?
But Apple isn't the one being accused, so no need for Congressional hearings. They only do that when Apple is involved.
Exactly.
"you can't prove it, so we must be innocent" seems to be the argument. The FBI really ought to know better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elian Gonzalez
Unlike the reactionaries who started screaming about lost liberties, evil government and the like? Or the reactionaries who started applauding? It would be interesting to see if these hackers are lying about how exactly how they obtained this info.
Politically backed "scientists" biasing research? Hackers lying? Politicians "streeeeetching" the truth? What is the world coming to?
Later that day, in an office in Quantico...
Skinner: Mulder, Scully, get in here.
(Mulder and Scully enter the office)
Mulder: Yes?
Scully: We're here, sir.
Skinner: I need you to investigate this thing. They're claiming we had a bunch of UDID's and that someone hacked a laptop to obtain a copy of the file.
Both: Yes sir.
(The two agents leave)
Scully: Do you think we really had the UDID's?
Mulder: Of course, Scully. You know the FBI for God's sake, you work here. We can't be trusted.
Scully: Who do you think stole them?
Mulder: A global conspiracy tied to the alien invaders. Who else?
Scully: (sigh) I was afraid of that...