iPhone and iPad Are First Consumer Devices Cleared for NATO Classified Data

[MacRumors]

The iPhone and iPad can be used with NATO restricted level classified information after meeting NATO's information assurance requirements, Apple said today. No special software or settings are required.

Apple's devices are the first and only consumer mobile products that have reached this government certification level after security testing and evaluation by the German government. iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are now certified for use with classified data in all NATO nations.

In an announcement of the security clearance, Apple touted its security features.

Apple designs security into all of its products from the start, ensuring the most sophisticated protections are built in across hardware, software, and Apple silicon. This unique approach allows Apple users to benefit from industry-leading security protections such as best-in-class encryption, biometric authentication with Face ID, and groundbreaking features like Memory Integrity Enforcement. These same protections are now recognized as meeting stringent government and international security requirements, even for restricted data.

Apple's vice president of security Ivan Krstić said the achievement reflects Apple's commitment to security.

This achievement recognizes that Apple has transformed how security is traditionally delivered. Prior to iPhone, secure devices were only available to sophisticated government and enterprise organizations after a massive investment in bespoke security solutions. Instead, Apple has built the most secure devices in the world for all its users, and those same protections are now uniquely certified under assurance requirements for NATO nations -- unlike any other device in the industry.

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are listed on the NATO Information Assurance Product Catalogue, which says Apple devices are able to provide secure access to Mail, Calendar, and Contacts with built-in apps.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: iPhone and iPad Are First Consumer Devices Cleared for NATO Classified Data

 

[I7guy]

Good job apple for taking the lead in security and privacy!

 

[G5isAlive]

take that google, privacy pays!

 

[Entilzha]

That’s…actually pretty freaking cool. Says a lot about the security of these devices for sure.

 

[Jaro65]

I think that's a pretty strong endorsement of Apple's privacy and security policy!

 

[djphat2000]

Yeah. Kind of backs up what Apple has been saying this whole time about "not" opening up their platform for security reasons.

 

[Pezimak]

I watched a video today where they said the button you press to 'ASK' apps not to track you does nothing lol, because no devs changed their apps to do anything with it. Plus then we have the system scanning your device anything illegal it programmes it to search for.

Apples devices used to be secure, but it seems more and more through policies and business decisions chosen by Apple they are reverting on that.

Still Face ID works well and seems to be secure enough.

 

[jakebrosy]

First, kudos Apple for building secure devices. I can not imagine having had that when I held a NATO security clearance. Hell, the very rare times I left the building with classified documents was deeply worrying back then. Now they can tote the docs around on a phone. Mind blowing!

I love that they never mention the name of a Nato secret clearance: Cosmic Top Secret. That was always hilarious for me.

 

[contacos]

Why does the German government decide what can be used by NATO?

 

[jakebrosy]

I watched a video today where they said the button you press to 'ASK' apps not to track you does nothing lol, because no devs changed their apps to do anything with it. Plus then we have the system scanning your device anything illegal it programmes it to search for.

Apples devices used to be secure, but it seems more and more through policies and business decisions chosen by Apple they are reverting on that.

Still Face ID works well and seems to be secure enough.

I suspect that a device authorized to carry Top Secret documents is strictly managed and has no unauthorized apps. And I'm pretty sure Face ID is not an option. But that's a nice attempt at a troll.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

This is expected as iPhone and iPad are the most secured devices in the planet. I am glad that I did not change to Samsung for the trifold. Apple is the most trusted brand and provides the best supports with the availability of their corporate stores for convenience of their customers!

 

[ghanwani]

This is all a big joke. Look up "salt typhoon".

 

[quietstormSD]

Funny how Europe constantly pushes Apple to actually "open up their devices", but great for NATO since it's such a closed system compared to Android.

 

[meme1255]

Funny how Europe constantly pushes Apple to actually "open up their devices", but great for NATO since it's such a closed system compared to Android.

The device can be both open and secure – the user decides what is more important and gets the best of both worlds.

 

[CarAnalogy]

There has to be a baseline security configuration. I wouldn't call it "special" settings, but I would love to see their documentation. At minimum I'm sure they require a passcode, for example.

Edit: here we go, they call it "Indigo" but by not requiring "special software or settings" they mean not using third party software, but they do still mean MDM managed. Which does actually require third party software as far as I know. I'd still like to see what that Indigo configuration actually requires.

Relevant link

 

[ninetyCent]

I watched a video today where they said the button you press to 'ASK' apps not to track you does nothing lol, because no devs changed their apps to do anything with it. Plus then we have the system scanning your device anything illegal it programmes it to search for.

Apples devices used to be secure, but it seems more and more through policies and business decisions chosen by Apple they are reverting on that.

Still Face ID works well and seems to be secure enough.

Whoever that influencer is, they're definitely influencing you.

 

[d686546s]

Funny how Europe constantly pushes Apple to actually "open up their devices", but great for NATO since it's such a closed system compared to Android.

Almost as if private consumers and classified military systems have different use cases and requirements.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Why does the German government decide what can be used by NATO?

As far as I understand from this article, they don't. The devices were approved by Germany for the same purpose first, which helped get it approved for all of NATO.

 

[IIGS User]

From the people who brought you the Stasi.

 

[vjl323]

Very well earned, as the security features in iOS 26 are [IMO] the best thing about the OS. But, I have to say, the fact that Liquid Glass makes the displays hard to read, can also be considered a security feature! Hard for enemies to see the screen when the actual owner of the device can barely read what's on it! 🙂 😛

 

[BigBlur]

I watched a video today where they said the button you press to 'ASK' apps not to track you does nothing lol, because no devs changed their apps to do anything with it.

Do you have a link to that video? I'd like to see it. I have a few rewards apps installed on my spare phone that don't work unless tracking is allowed, so that button is clearly doing something...

From Apple's documentation:

If you choose Ask App Not to Track, the app developer can’t access the system advertising identifier (IDFA), which is often used to track. The app is also not permitted to track your activity using other information that identifies you or your device, like your email address.

9to5Mac has a good article that explains what this does and why Apple uses the "Ask" terminology.

Security Bite: What 'Ask App Not to Track' actually does - 9to5Mac

9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe...

9to5mac.com

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple's devices are the first and only consumer mobile products that have reached this government certification level after security testing and evaluation by the German government. iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are now certified for use with classified data in all NATO nations.

Pete Hegseth: Hold my beer

 

[Pezimak]

I suspect that a device authorized to carry Top Secret documents is strictly managed and has no unauthorized apps. And I'm pretty sure Face ID is not an option. But that's a nice attempt at a troll.

I am pretty sure you know nothing about Face ID in this instance, and I said it is pretty good so not sure where the trolling comes in? Also it was my opinion, not a troll. Don't like my opinion then that is on you. You are more then welcome to debate it.

 

[TheColtr]

"which says Apple devices are able to provide secure access to Mail, Calendar, and Contacts with built-in apps."

Devices are only as secure as what you allow in. I assume NATO recommends not installing telegram and instagram and allowing it to view your entire contact list.

 

[Pezimak]

Do you have a link to that video? I'd like to see it. I have a few rewards apps installed on my spare phone that don't work unless tracking is allowed, so that button is clearly doing something...

From Apple's documentation:


9to5Mac has a good article that explains what this does and why Apple uses the "Ask" terminology.

Security Bite: What 'Ask App Not to Track' actually does - 9to5Mac

9to5Mac Security Bite is exclusively brought to you by Mosyle, the only Apple Unified Platform. Making Apple devices work-ready and enterprise-safe...

9to5mac.com

Interesting article, but it did state it has not removed tracing all together with 18% still being tracked, and with apps finding new ways to track you. But it IS a direct contradiction to the person in the video, I googled them and it is Patrick McGee who seems to have a thing for criticising Apple.

Patrick McGee - author of Apple in China

Technology/Business Journalist | Author | Keynote Speaker Contributor: Financial Times |The Free Press | CBS News Covering the intersection of tech and geopolitics; US-China relations; the future of manufacturing.

patrick-mcgee.com