Incredibly cool how they went to Shenzen to get both repair manuals and test the feasibility of their proposed mods to the iPhones hardware. Shows how accessible in-depth knowledge is in Shenzen markets. I’m only slightly jealous :)
On the other hand, I can’t help but think this is pants-on-head-crazy. They expect journalists, potentially already deployed in unstable areas or stuck there legally like the UAE activist recently targeted, to be able to both get their hardware and have access to an experienced hardware modder who can install this invasive mod. I like the idea and application a lot, but it seems like a non starter. The SIM slot and an RF shield on the main board have to be desoldered and a flexible PCB has to be tacked on top of the main board to certain test points, nevermind the dis and reassembly of the iPhone without damaging it. Far from an impossible feat for a steady hand and a rework station, but it feels wrong for the target audience.
At the last HOPE conference there was a booth demoing a large case you snap an iPhone into which blocks all cameras, speakers, and funnels white noise into the mics. The case also has a larger cover it slides into which is supposedly an effective faraday cage. It’s a bulky thing: wouldn’t fit in a normal pocket but would be ok in cargo pants. It is non invasive though, the iPhone simply snaps in and out. I can see that being more useful simply because you can deliver the hardware to deployed individuals and that’s all it takes.
Anyway I’m not knocking their work, I hope to spur some discussion about it.
The low tech approach is to leave your phone at home.
In the past decade, hundreds of journalists have been captured, tortured and killed. These journalists have been reporting in conflict zones, such as Iraq and Syria, or in regions of political instability, such as the Philippines, Mexico, and Somalia.
And, uh, how many of those casualties would be prevented by these mods? They mention one reporter bombed based on radio telemetry, but did she have her phone in airplane mode at the time?
The mods all seem to suppose that the journalist in question never says or does anything sensitive when the phone isn’t in airplane mode. What if I say the wrong thing in a phone conversation with all the radios on?
The mods all seem to suppose that the journalist in question never says or does anything sensitive when the phone isn’t in airplane mode.
Yeah what they’re trying to prevent is gov’t actors using cellular infrastructure to find and kill activists. They want to give high risk people the assurance that their phone is in airplane mode when they put it in airplane mode. “Prevent your hardware from lying to you” is the mantra.
It’s all well and good but ignores the points you bring up – something that other case I mentioned focuses on.
The low tech approach is to leave your phone at home.
Yes, but for a journalist an iPhone is an indispensable tool: voice recorder, high quality camera with geotag capabilities, editing tool for footage, writing pad, and of course phone + contacts management. Not to mention email and use of encrypted communications. Yes all those things can be replaced with low tech or standalone devices, but the point is that the size and versatility of the iPhone can replace a bag of gear and put it in your pocket. A phone in your hand makes you less of a target than a bulky bag. From the journalists and photographers I know personally, they wouldn’t trade their iPhones for anything (except maybe a newer model). What I’m saying is, if they could leave it at home I’m sure they would.
Incredibly cool how they went to Shenzen to get both repair manuals and test the feasibility of their proposed mods to the iPhones hardware. Shows how accessible in-depth knowledge is in Shenzen markets. I’m only slightly jealous :)
On the other hand, I can’t help but think this is pants-on-head-crazy. They expect journalists, potentially already deployed in unstable areas or stuck there legally like the UAE activist recently targeted, to be able to both get their hardware and have access to an experienced hardware modder who can install this invasive mod. I like the idea and application a lot, but it seems like a non starter. The SIM slot and an RF shield on the main board have to be desoldered and a flexible PCB has to be tacked on top of the main board to certain test points, nevermind the dis and reassembly of the iPhone without damaging it. Far from an impossible feat for a steady hand and a rework station, but it feels wrong for the target audience.
At the last HOPE conference there was a booth demoing a large case you snap an iPhone into which blocks all cameras, speakers, and funnels white noise into the mics. The case also has a larger cover it slides into which is supposedly an effective faraday cage. It’s a bulky thing: wouldn’t fit in a normal pocket but would be ok in cargo pants. It is non invasive though, the iPhone simply snaps in and out. I can see that being more useful simply because you can deliver the hardware to deployed individuals and that’s all it takes.
Anyway I’m not knocking their work, I hope to spur some discussion about it.
The low tech approach is to leave your phone at home.
And, uh, how many of those casualties would be prevented by these mods? They mention one reporter bombed based on radio telemetry, but did she have her phone in airplane mode at the time?
The mods all seem to suppose that the journalist in question never says or does anything sensitive when the phone isn’t in airplane mode. What if I say the wrong thing in a phone conversation with all the radios on?
Yeah what they’re trying to prevent is gov’t actors using cellular infrastructure to find and kill activists. They want to give high risk people the assurance that their phone is in airplane mode when they put it in airplane mode. “Prevent your hardware from lying to you” is the mantra.
It’s all well and good but ignores the points you bring up – something that other case I mentioned focuses on.
Yes, but for a journalist an iPhone is an indispensable tool: voice recorder, high quality camera with geotag capabilities, editing tool for footage, writing pad, and of course phone + contacts management. Not to mention email and use of encrypted communications. Yes all those things can be replaced with low tech or standalone devices, but the point is that the size and versatility of the iPhone can replace a bag of gear and put it in your pocket. A phone in your hand makes you less of a target than a bulky bag. From the journalists and photographers I know personally, they wouldn’t trade their iPhones for anything (except maybe a newer model). What I’m saying is, if they could leave it at home I’m sure they would.
Not only is it invasive, it’s also incredibly obvious looking from the render. it screams “I have secrets to hide, please beat me with a wrench.”