NSA Was Able to Capture Live Data From Compromised iPhones in 2008, Including Live Camera, GPS, and More

The U.S. National Security Agency could retrieve a vast array of data from compromised iPhones according to an NSA document from 2008 leaked by German magazine Der Spiegel and security researcher Jacob Applebaum. (via Forbes)

According to the report, the NSA could install special software onto iPhones as part of a program called DROPOUTJEEP, that provides significant access to user data and other relevant information.

DROPOUTJEEP is a software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device. SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted

The NSA in 2008 claimed a 100 percent success rate in installing the software on phones it had physical access to, and it’s possible that the spy agency has improved its software so it can be installed remotely or via some sort of social engineering, something that was specifically mentioned in the documents. It’s also possible that Apple has closed the security holes the NSA was using, making it more difficult to compromise iOS devices in this manner.

A separate report says that American spy agencies have intercepted shipping packages — something the NSA calls method interdiction — containing new electronic devices destined for specific targets, installed special spy software on those devices, and then sent them on their way. One report calls the shipping disruptions some of the “most productive operations” conducted by the NSA.

Applebaum said in a talk at the Chaos Communication Congress this weekend that he does not believe that Apple assisted the NSA in its spying efforts, but that the NSA has targeted and cracked a number of different smartphones including those running the Android and BlackBerry operating systems.

Earlier in December, Apple CEO Tim Cook and more than a dozen other tech executives met with President Obama to discuss NSA surveillance tactics, following an open letter that Apple and seven other technology companies sent to the President and Congress asking the Government to reform its surveillance tactics.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the comment thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All MacRumors forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple’s App Store Usage Numbers Peg iOS 7 Adoption at 78% [iOS Blog]

After three-and-a-half months on the market, iOS 7 is installed on some 78 percent of devices connecting to the App Store, according to the latest numbers posted on Apple’s App Store support page for developers.

The company puts iOS 6 adoption at 18 percent, and older OS versions at 4 percent. The data from Apple is likely the most accurate adoption data we will see and is the most relevant for developers as its taken directly from the App Store.

Earlier in December, Apple reported iOS 7 adoption at 74 percent.

Fitbit App Update Adds ‘MobileTrack’ With M7 Coprocessor Support [iOS Blog]

Fitbit, the fitness company behind the Fitbit line of wearable activity tracking devices, today updated its Fitbit iPhone app with a new “MobileTrack” feature, which is designed to offer iPhone 5s users standard Fitbit activity tracking without the need for one of the company’s fitness bands.

To track movement and activity, the revamped Fitbit app uses Apple’s “M7” motion coprocessor. First introduced with the iPhone 5s, the M7 chip accompanies Apple’s standard A7 processor and captures motion data from the phone’s compass, accelerometer, and gyroscope, facilitating the continued capture of movement without significant battery drain.

With MobileTrack, the Fitbit app is able to track steps, distance traveled, and calories burned. Fitbit’s physical offerings, including its newest Fitbit Force band, track those standard metrics along with active minutes, sleep, and stairs climbed.

Along with MobileTrack, the newly updated Fitbit app also includes redesigned alarm settings, custom water goals, and several other design enhancements.

– The Fitbit app now features MobileTrack which offers basic Fitbit activity tracking directly using your iPhone 5s.
– Redesigned Silent Alarms settings. Set, switch, edit, and remove alarms faster than ever.
– Set your own custom water goal.
– Redesigned profile editor.
– Redesigned tracker settings.
– Redesigned sign-up and sign-in.
– Tap on people in Friend Finder to see their profile.
– Swipe on friends on your leaderboard to Cheer, Taunt, or Message.
– Tap on tabs to auto-scroll to the top.

Earlier this year, Fitbit competitor Nike introduced a similar app, called Nike+ Move, which is also designed to track physical activity. Several other apps have also been engineered to use the M7 coprocessor for measuring movement.

Fitbit can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]