Apple, FBI comment on AntiSec hack, say no UDIDs were given or collected

By Rene Ritchie
last updated

Apple has provided a statement regarding the recent release of over 1 million iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad unique device identifiers (UDIDs) by AntiSec, who claim to have hacked 12 million of them, including other personal information, from an FBI laptop. Apple spokesperson Natalie Kerris told John Paczkowski of All Things D:

The FBI has not requested this information from Apple, nor have we provided it to the FBI or any organization. Additionally, with iOS 6 we introduced a new set of APIs meant to replace the use of the UDID and will soon be banning the use of UDID.

The FBI has also called the allegations that they collected UDIDs and other information "TOTALLY FALSE" and issued a statement to All Things D saying:

The FBI is aware of published reports alleging that an FBI laptop was compromised and private data regarding Apple UDIDs was exposed. At this time there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data.

AntiSec has responded:

Also, before you deny too much: Remember we’re sitting on 3TB additional data. We have not even started.

Source: All Things D, All Things D

Rene Ritchie
Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.

10 Comments
  • Something tells me that this can turn out ugly lol. Love it FBI will sit there and deny all they have to do is release proof and then all hell breaks loose.
  • No FBI laptop is going to have a HDD that big.
  • Big enough to hold 12 million UDIDs?? Silly rabbit. My personal laptop has 1.5TB of HDD.... And nothing to say the compromised laptop wasn't used to take advantage of VPN access to a (supposed-to-be) secure network for who-knows-how-much capacity on tap.
  • They said they have 3TB of data on from this supposed breach. I also didn't say your laptop, I said an FBI (government) laptop. They also said they got it off the laptop, a Dell Vostro.
  • All Things D ... the D is for Don't bother visiting that site.
  • Well these so call hackers/cyber thugs need first to prove they have these UDIDs....that's unless they already have and I missed the story. Then we can get upset at the FBI.
  • Uhh, the "hackers/cyber thugs" already release a million (1,000,000!!!) UDIDs with other data. Click a couple links. Try that new thing, uhhh, what's it called? Oh, yeah. Google. Read all about it. How much more proof do you need?
  • Really Stewie? Did your mommy give you that name? Isn't it about time you moved out of mommy's basement and got a job? Some people actually have jobs :-o and don't have time to google "Why my penis is small". Go outside, the fresh air will do you some good. Just don't forget to tell your mommy where you are at all times.
  • Of course Apple is going to say they have not given info. And of course the FBI won't admit they had the info, let alone got hacked. Who is telling the truth? Who knows.
  • I cannot stand tough talking nerd groups like Anonymous and AntiSec. Their pompousness is disgusting.