The company is currently working on two initiatives simultaneously. First, a $10 million grant to support cybersecurity campaigns to investigate spyware threats. The second is the “Isolation Mode” (Locking Mode), which the company calls revolutionary. More about what it represents.

Locking Mode

The new mode will be introduced this fall on iOS 16, iPad 16 and macOS. This is an optional protection mode developed for the very small number of users who encounter targeted cyberattacks.

Key features of the mod:

• All content is blocked except photos in messages.
• Disable JavaScript by default on websites unless the user adds the site to the exception list.
• All FaceTime requests are blocked by default unless the user initiates the call.
• When the iPhone is locked, the wired connection is blocked.
• The device cannot enroll in Mobile Device Management (MDM).

Isolation Mode is a revolutionary feature that reflects our commitment to protect users from even the rarest and most sophisticated attacks. While the vast majority of users will not fall victim to targeted cyberattacks, we will work tirelessly to protect a small number of users. This includes continuing to develop protections specifically for such users, as well as supporting researchers and organizations around the world who do critical work such as exposing the mercenary companies that created these cyberattacks.
– says Ivan Krstich, Apple’s cybersecurity expert.