The new mode, which will come as part of iOS 16, works by closing off iPhone functions that are typically exploited by high-end hacks. Most message attachments are automatically blocked, link previews are disabled, many web technologies are turned off unless a user deems a website safe, and FaceTime requests from unknown callers are rejected, among other measures.

It’s been previously reported that some versions of Pegasus, the NSO Group’s main product, have been injected into iPhones using a GIF or other attachment sent in an iMessage. A security team at Google, working with Apple, subsequently detailed how it was possible to make iPhone attacks that don’t require the victim to click on or even open the message; the hack works as soon as the message is received.

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NSO Group has denied its products have been used to facilitate human rights abuses, and said it only sells to governments using the technology for national security and anti-terrorism. But CitizenLab’s investigations indicated the software had been used by authoritarian governments to monitor dissident journalists and protestors.

“There is now undeniable evidence from the research of the Citizen Lab and other organisations that the mercenary surveillance industry is facilitating the spread of authoritarian practices and massive human rights abuses worldwide,” said Citizen Lab director Ron Deibert.

“[Apple’s grant] will send a strong message and help nurture independent researchers and advocacy organisations holding mercenary spyware vendors accountable.”

Lockdown mode will also be available for Apple’s computers as part of this year’s macOS Ventura update.

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