Apple is working on future improvements to Find My iPhone which could allow a user to selectively protect data, remotely scramble data instead of erasing it, and transmit surveillance info back to the owner, according to Patently Apple.
This information was found in a new patent application from Apple.
Selective Protection/Surveillance
Under the increased security level, files or other content stored on the mobile device could be selectively protected. In some implementations, the mobile device could be transitioned into a surveillance mode where the mobile device records or captures information associated with one or more of user actions, ambient sound, images, a trajectory of the device, and transmits the recorded or captured information to the network resource.
Scrambling
The user could have granulated protection of data stored on the mobile device. The user could selectively wipe or scramble the data when the mobile device is lost or stolen. Thus, the user could avoid having to wipe the entire device clean when the whereabouts of the device is unknown. When the data are scrambled rather than wiped, if the user subsequently recovers the mobile device, the data can be unscrambled. The user will not face a complete loss of data.
Read More
This information was found in a new patent application from Apple.
Selective Protection/Surveillance
Under the increased security level, files or other content stored on the mobile device could be selectively protected. In some implementations, the mobile device could be transitioned into a surveillance mode where the mobile device records or captures information associated with one or more of user actions, ambient sound, images, a trajectory of the device, and transmits the recorded or captured information to the network resource.
Scrambling
The user could have granulated protection of data stored on the mobile device. The user could selectively wipe or scramble the data when the mobile device is lost or stolen. Thus, the user could avoid having to wipe the entire device clean when the whereabouts of the device is unknown. When the data are scrambled rather than wiped, if the user subsequently recovers the mobile device, the data can be unscrambled. The user will not face a complete loss of data.
Read More