Apple Patches Bug That Let Police Extract Deleted Signal Messages
A software update fixes a flaw that stored notifications for deleted messages, which law enforcement exploited.
Apple just pushed a software update for iPhones and iPads that squashes a nasty privacy bug. The flaw? Notification data for deleted messages was sticking around on devices even after users wiped the messages themselves.
That's a problem — especially when cops figured out they could use it. Law enforcement reportedly leveraged the bug to extract deleted Signal messages from devices. Signal, of course, is the go-to encrypted messaging app for people who take privacy seriously. Having ghost notification data lingering on-device completely undermines the point of deleting those messages.
The fix comes after TechCrunch's Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai reported on the issue. Apple hasn't disclosed how long the bug existed or how many devices were affected.
Bottom line: if you're on an iPhone or iPad, update now. Your deleted messages should actually be deleted.