FBI denies leaking iOS handset identifiers

The FBI denies one of their laptops was hacked, with the alleged content being Apple iOS UDID identifiers.

"Statement soon on reports that one of our laptops with personal info was hacked. We never had info in question. Bottom Line: TOTALLY FALSE". The FBI categorically denies that information was stolen from one of their laptops on Twitter, with the alleged content being UDID identifiers for iOS.

In an official press release, the FBI goes into more detail on the subject:

"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".

Early in the week, hackers from the AntiSec movement published close to a million unique identifiers from Apple handsets which run iOS. They stated that they have more than 12 million in a database including users names and other personal information (see our news).

The hackers state that they recovered this information in March 2012, not from Apple’s servers, but from the laptop of an FBI special agent. The FBI is therefore now accused of playing Big Brother by having Apple’s information about users.

It appears that a game of bluff poker is now being played out between the hackers and the FBI. We will therefore have to see if the published information is authentic (at least partially) as numerous security experts have confirmed.

Various tools have been put online for users to be able to determine whether their UDID (see how you can find your UDID) is included in the first wave of information published by AntiSec. The Next Web has made such a tool available, with another available here.

Through the @AnonymousIRC account, AntiSec has taken delight from the situation, demanding that the FBI doesn’t deny the facts as more facts will be published. AntiSec has made it known that a specific application is involved in this matter:

"Users whose UDID has been published by AntiSec should perhaps compare their installed applications. A common guilty program could be found. "