Apple wants to make sure that the users of their popular iPhone and iPods only use apps that are approved by Apple and Apple alone. The company has filed for a patent that would allow Apple to take measures to prevent what is commonly referred to as ‘jailbreaking’ on any devices that the company produces. The patent, which is titled ‘Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users of an Electronic Device,’ will prevent unauthorized users and thieves from altering the device.

In a recent article it also states that:

The application, which was filed in February 2009 and published Thursday, describes measures to identify “particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior,” so that “safety measures” can be taken to restrict the device’s functions. Those activities include the “hacking, jailbreaking, unlocking, or removal of a SIM card,” according to the application. Apple also intends to send warnings to owners via e-mail or text message when such activity is detected.

Here is the iron grip part of the patent:

In some embodiments, an unauthorized user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identities of authorized users of the electronic device. For example, a photograph of the current user can be taken, a recording of the current user’s voice can be recorded, the heartbeat of the current user can be recorded, or any combination of the above. The photograph, recording, or heartbeat can be compared, respectively, to a photograph, recording, or heartbeat of authorized users of the electronic device to determine whether they match. If they do not match, the current user can be detected as an unauthorized user.

It seems to me that Apple is carrying the protection of its devices to include unauthorized monitoring that I personally believe borders on illegal ‘wiretapping.’ Talk about an invasion of privacy.

What do you think? Is Apple going overboard and infringing on our civil liberties?

Comments welcome.

Source – CNET