Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The saphire itself is an electrical insulator.
Block the light transmission and you defeat the reader.
The metal ring will still trigger the reader but if it can't see..... end of story.

Finally some useful information - thanks.
 
I'm guessing there will be hardware solutions to this (probably in the form of a home-button sticker).

As for Apple: I don't believe they're lying. I just don't think anyone's actually capable of making a network-attached biometric scanner bullet-proof. I don't want this to spoil an otherwise phenomenal phone for me, that's why I started the thread - I'm genuinely interested in solutions (which might already exist).

I honestly think you are just overthinking it. Again unless Apple is blatantly lying to us, they have explained that no image of your fingerprint is taken/stored.

So not only one someone have to hack into the data on your phone but then they would have to find the same algorithm that is used to analyze the data of the fingerprint.

If it was storing my actual fingerprint I might be slightly more concerned but someone would have to go through a lot of work to decipher whatever print data is stored and we don't even know if it is storing something that would equate to a complete print.
 
I honestly think you are just overthinking it. Again unless Apple is blatantly lying to us, they have explained that no image of your fingerprint is taken/stored.

So not only one someone have to hack into the data on your phone but then they would have to find the same algorithm that is used to analyze the data of the fingerprint.

If it was storing my actual fingerprint I might be slightly more concerned but someone would have to go through a lot of work to decipher whatever print data is stored and we don't even know if it is storing something that would equate to a complete print.

The OP doesn't believe Apple so it doesn't matter what they said
 
Not enabling it through software is the obvious solution.

That's not a solution in so far as you have no idea if it's actually disabled or not. As I stated above - I don't believe Apple is up to anything sinister here - I just don't believe they can make this watertight. I think it can't be entirely ruled out that security vulnerabilities could lead to 3rd party apps directly accessing the sensor and getting the image of the print from there. The hash stored in the chip is probably safe - but that's not the main issue.

----------

53 people have already said to put a sticker on it.

Including myself, in my first post - which, apparently, nobody read before they started bashing.
 
That's not a solution in so far as you have no idea if it's actually disabled or not. As I stated above - I don't believe Apple is up to anything sinister here - I just don't believe they can make this watertight. I think it can be entirely ruled out that security vulnerabilities could lead to 3rd party apps directly accessing the sensor and getting the image of the print from there. The hash stored in the chip is probably safe - but that's not the main issue.

----------



Including myself, in my first post - which, apparently, nobody read before they started bashing.

Then here's a solution. Take it apart and remove the sensor.
 
There are plenty of accessories out for the 5C and the 5S already so people are testing the device and could have come up with a solution alread.

Have you asked multiple accessory manufacturers, if so what did they say? In the first page someone already posted that a case with a rubber button cover doesn't work with 5S. Seems that should have really spurred you on to asking a bunch accessory manufacturers what their thoughts are.

Again, I suggested using a sticker myself - but I guess I can write that 50 more times here and you still wouldn't get it.

And there were several things suggested. But instead of closing the thread we're writing the same things 50 more times as well.

You also alleged that the scanner reads your print even if you don't set it up. People repeatedly asked you to cite your proof. So where is your proof that the simplest solution, not turning the feature on, doesn't work?
 
OK I did think of something.... unless someone beat me...


Put an Iphone 5 Otterbox Defernder or any Water Proof case..
 
Have you asked multiple accessory manufacturers, if so what did they say?



And there were several things suggested. But instead of closing the thread we're writing the same things 50 more times as well.

You also alleged that the scanner reads your print even if you don't set it up. People repeatedly asked you to cite your proof. So where is your proof that the simplest solution, not turning the feature on, doesn't work?

I don't have proof - just like you don't have proof that it does. The difference between the two of us is that I'm not willing to take chances when it comes to biometrics and you are.

What do you think is more practical: starting a thread where most manufacturers probably read it or writing to 50 companies?
 
OK I did think of something.... unless someone beat me...

Put an Iphone 5 Otterbox Defernder or any Water Proof case..

Someone on the very first page suggested using a case that has a rubber button cover on it. They even said the manufacturer doesn't certify it to work with the 5S. Right at the beginning that was suggested.
 
I don't have proof - just like you don't have proof that it does. The difference between the two of us is that I'm not willing to take chances when it comes to biometrics and you are.

What do you think is more practical: starting a thread where most manufacturers probably read it or writing to 50 companies?

Writing to 50 companies. By far.
 
I can kind of see your concern based on the stories of students being observed via the built in chat cams in laptops.



What about the schools remotely monitoring students laptop cams even when the student wasn't using the cam or had it turned on? I think his concern, while to an extreme, isn't entirely unwarranted.



What about the schools remotely monitoring students laptop cams even when the student wasn't using the cam or had it turned on? He has a valid point to a degree. Nothing is 100% secure.

I personally only plug in an external webcam when I need to use it, the rest of time it sits unplugged in a drawer. If it's a built in webcam, a little gaffers tape takes care of it nicely.

The big differences are:
1) Nobody ever claimed that a laptop cam couldn’t be activated remotely. From day one it was understood that it could be.
2) There is a clear potential for exploitation of a laptop camera (or a front facing phone camera). We don’t have to use our imagination to imagine how it could be used against the owner and it something that can actually be demonstrated. However, I’m yet to hear a plausible theory as to what the NSA plans to do or even could do with our fingerprints (assuming they can even get them from our 5s which is a big assumption). As it turns out, the government already has my fingerprints, and I’m not even slightly concerned about it. Sure, if I leave my prints at a crime scene it might become an issue, but I don’t plan on doing that and I can’t think of anything else they’re good for.
 
Someone on the very first page suggested using a case that has a rubber button cover on it.

I suggested that. If it works, that's great - I had just hoped someone actually familiar with the technology behind it could tell me if it does. Citing Apple's simplified explanation of things over and over again really doesn't help.
 
That's not a solution in so far as you have no idea if it's actually disabled or not. As I stated above - I don't believe Apple is up to anything sinister here - I just don't believe they can make this watertight. I think it can't be entirely ruled out that security vulnerabilities could lead to 3rd party apps directly accessing the sensor and getting the image of the print from there. The hash stored in the chip is probably safe - but that's not the main issue.

Like I said, you simply dismissed the obvious solution out of hand. It's hard to have a reasonable conversation when you are going to make up problems that don't necessarily exist.
 
However, I’m yet to hear a plausible theory as to what the NSA plans to do or even could do with our fingerprints (assuming they can even get them from our 5s which is a big assumption). As it turns out, the government already has my fingerprints, and I’m not even slightly concerned about it.

neither am I - as I already stated earlier. This isn't about the government - this is about the people who also steal your credit cards or blackmail you with said camera pictures (just went through the press here a week ago). What would you say if someone contacted you and asked for cash in exchange for the assurance that your prints won't show up on a future crime scene?
 
So, I'm sure I'm not the only one here who doesn't feel comfortable using the upcoming iPhone 5S's fingerprint reader. What can be done to disable it? Disabling it in the settings won't cut it as your prints will like still be stored on the phone - they just won't be used for authentication purposes.

Some screen protectors (e.g. Spigen's Glas.Tr) come with a small plastic cap that you stick on top of the home button. Would that be enough to disable the reader?



ps: if you're intending to use the fingerprint reader, please ignore this thread. I'm not interested in your personal opinion why it's a good feature.

Wear a condom before you use your phone.
 
I don't have proof - just like you don't have proof that it does. The difference between the two of us is that I'm not willing to take chances when it comes to biometrics and you are.

What do you think is more practical: starting a thread where most manufacturers probably read it or writing to 50 companies?

You have no proof I am willing to take a chance with it as I have not purchased a 5S, nor have I said I will.

The difference between us is that if I were concerned that the reader would still scan my print, I would wait until security experts can test the device instead of asking a bunch of people on a gadget forum, almost all of whom are not security experts.

How much practical information have you received from this thread and how much practical information would contacting a couple of companies get you? You don't have to write 50 companies. If two companies say that their cases that cover the home button with rubber say those cases block the reader, it is logical to assume that any case with a similar rubber covering will block the reader.
 
neither am I - as I already stated earlier. This isn't about the government - this is about the people who also steal your credit cards or blackmail you with said camera pictures (just went through the press here a week ago). What would you say if someone contacted you and asked for cash in exchange for the assurance that your prints won't show up on a future crime scene?

I would laugh at them and go on about my day.
 
Like I said, you simply dismissed the obvious solution out of hand. It's hard to have a reasonable conversation when you are going to make up problems that don't necessarily exist.

You're claiming the technology is safe, I'm claiming it might not be - neither of us has definite proof of that (yet). I fail to see in how far I'm unreasonable while you're not.
 
This should take care of it for you.

ManWearingTinFoilHat.jpg
 
I suggested that. If it works, that's great - I had just hoped someone actually familiar with the technology behind it could tell me if it does. Citing Apple's simplified explanation of things over and over again really doesn't help.

No. You asked he suggested.

Why didn't you contact that company directly ask ask them your specific questions? Is it because some random person on MacRumors might be more familiar with the 5S than a company who has one that they already tested?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.