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Apple caused a stir a few weeks ago when it announced that the forthcoming update of its mobile and laptop operating systems would contain an optional high-security mode that would provide users with an unprecedented level of protection against powerful “spyware” software that surreptitiously obtains control of their devices.
It’s called Lockdown Mode and, according to Apple, “offers an extreme, optional level of security for the very few users who, because of who they are or what they do, may be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from NSO Group and other private companies developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware”.
Lockdown is effectively an alternative operating system mode. To turn it on, go to settings, choose it and restart your device. When you do, you find yourself with a rather different iPhone. Browsing the web is clunkier, for example, because Lockdown blocks many of the speed and efficiency tricks that Safari uses to render web pages. Some complex but widely used web technologies, like so-called just-in-time JavaScript compilation, which allow websites to run programs inside your browser, are disabled unless you specifically exclude a website from restriction. Still, more people might be persuaded to plump for greater security after vulnerabilities were revealed on Apple devices.
Lockdown also limits all kinds of incoming invitations and requests (for example, from FaceTime) unless you have specifically asked for them. In messages, the phone won’t show link previews and will block all attachments with the exception of a few standard image formats. Nor will it allow access to anything physically plugged into it. And so on.
The result of engaging Lockdown is that you have an iPhone that is more secure but less convenient to use. And, in a way, that is the most significant thing about Apple’s decision.
