Apple iPhone 8 could be harder to crack for federal agencies

NEW DELHI: Apple, last year, was embroiled in a controversy when it was asked by the US government to unlock the iPhone 5c of an accused terrorist. Although Apple didn't give the permission on the grounds of privacy, the FBI later claimed it had successfully breached the iPhone lock screen and entered the device. Now, it looks like the Cupertino-based firm is ramping up its security in iOS 11 even further.

As spotted by some users on Twitter, Apple's iOS 11 public beta includes a new setting from where it will let those who are worried of being forced to unlock the device, disable the Touch ID. The setting, which is said to automate emergency services, will let iPhone users tap on the power button five times. On tapping the power button, iOS 11 will show the option to either disable theTouch ID or dial emergency services.This new iOS 11 feature disables the fingerprint sensor temporarily and users can still enter the device using the passcode. It is worth adding that until now, users had to restart the device in order to disable the fingerprint sensor.

This move will certainly make it difficult for federal agencies, or any other person for that matter, to crack open the iPhone lock with a fingerprint. We are yet to see how this will work with the iPhone 8, as it may not be featuring a physical TouchID sensor. Nonetheless, clubbing it with the rumoured facial recognition lock could make the handset one of the most secure devices aroundLast month Bloomberg reported that Apple could replace its TouchID sensor with face lock in the iPhone 8. The company was said to be testing the technology at that time. The technology doesn't limit to unlocking the handset but perhaps be used to authenticate payments, launch secure applications and more. The improved facial recognition system is based on a new 3-D sensor, added the report. Apple is also said to be testing an eye scanning system, something that could debut alongside the face recognition technology with the iPhone 8 later this year..