Apple Taking Applications Now, But There’s A Catch
If you want a free iPhone 14 Pro, with no carrier contract locking you in for 12 or 24 months, your legal options are pretty limited. If you want that iPhone so as to be able to hack iOS while using it, however, Apple is now offering just that opportunity. But you’ll need to be quick; applications close on October 31. You will also need to meet a bunch of eligibility criteria. Here’s what you need to know.
09/02 update below. This article was originally published on August 31.
Apple’s Hackable iPhone 14 Pro
As part of Apple’s claim that the iPhone is “the world’s most secure consumer mobile device,” it created the Apple Security Research Device Program. This acknowledges that the security protections in place make it hard for security researchers to get started when looking for iOS vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit.
The Apple SRD is a custom iPhone 14 Pro that enables researchers to look for ways to hack iOS without having to bypass those built-in security features. What this means is that this particular iPhone 14 Pro is fully hackable by those with the requisite skills to find new iOS vulnerabilities. It provides shell access, for example, and even the ability to mess around with the kernel. Any vulnerabilities found must be reported to Apple and will be eligible for financial reward as part of the Apple Security Bounty program.
Eligibility Criteria For The Apple Security Research Device Program
Such a device is a valuable item, especially if it were to fall into the wrong hands. So, you won’t be surprised to learn there are strict guidelines regarding usage, as well as who is eligible to apply for a 12-month free iPhone 14 Pro loaner.
When it comes to eligibility, applicants must already have had success when it comes to vulnerability research. This success can be on Apple platforms or other operating systems such as Android, for example. You can’t have been employed by Apple within the previous 12 months or be a current employee. Finally, there’s a list of countries which Apple will…
