Thread

Cops Can Bypass iPhone's Automatic Reboot to Get into Locked Phones

287 points · 226 comments · speckx

delichon · 1790868019 · focus · HN ↗
I keep all of my most sensitive personal documents on my phone, as an emergency backup, but in an encrypted (Cryptomator) volume that requires a separate password. Given the routine news of such exploits this seems like due diligence.
As I understand it this encryption is a significant additional barrier to technical or legal access to those files. If someone knows otherwise, please let me know. Being wrong could cost me my home and life savings.
1. WithinReason · 1790868570 · focus · HN ↗
  If you don't give access to law enforcement when they ask: straight to jail. Encryption is irrelevant in that situation. If they see the encrypted volume you need to provide them access.
  1. rdevsrex · 1790869100 · focus · HN ↗
    Maybe in a country like the UK, but not in the US. The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination.
    Which covers divulging encryption keys because it is treated the same as compelling you to give up the combination to a wall safe which is testimonial and protected.
    DaveSchmindel · 1790869915 · focus · HN ↗
    That's been my understanding until now as well... the latest on the case against Samuel Tunick has me worried and second guessing that blanket statement though...
    <a href="https://nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/2026/08/03/giving-police-a-duress-code-instead-of-a-passcode-to-a-phone/" rel="nofollow">https://nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/2026/08/03/giving-police-a...
    delichon · 1790870313 · focus · HN ↗
    Yeah, if you use it as a way to destroy data that gives them a whole new and powerful attack vector. 18 U.S.C. § 2232 is very broad.
    Razengan · 1790877870 · focus · HN ↗
    What's more infuriating than laws like that is that there's a class of people completely immune to those laws.

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