Apple's Lockdown Mode enhances security but leaves users puzzled with vague notifications.
Matilda
Apple's Lockdown Mode: Strong Security, But Confusing Notifications Leave Users Baffled
Apple launched Lockdown Mode in 2022, and since then the security feature is considered a must-use for dissidents in corrupt countries, human-rights defenders in oppressive regimes, and journalists speaking truth to power. Image:Google Lockdown Mode is designed to switch off some features in iPhones, iPads, and Macs, with the goal of reducing the likelihood that hackers armed with sophisticated spyware or zero-days — unknown flaws in systems that allow attackers to stealthily exploit them — can successfully break Apple’s operating system protections and spy on its users. In practice, Lockdown Mode removes some normal Apple device features, such as fonts loaded from the internet that can track you, the ability to receive certain types of files, your location data from photos that you share, support for 2G cellular connectivity, and letting people who haven’t contacted you before reach you over FaceTime and iMessage; although it’s unclear if the latter is the case (more on that later). I…
