The demo app developed by Myysk researchers reminds us that any app is installed on our iPhone or iPad has access to the clipboard. Aside from being a hole in the security of our devices, it's something to keep in mind.
Clear access to the clipboard
The developers have created a simple app that shows us just in their widget the contents of our clipboard at all times. When we copy an image, any application can recognize it and, for example, be removed location information his. The situation becomes somewhat uncomfortable when developers show how all the information through the clipboard can be carefully collected without informing the user.
Unless the information surprises us it is nice to have a reminder of how the system works. The clipboard is designed to be read by any app, and most apps rely on this feature to offer additional functionality. Some examples are tracking applications where the copied URL is directly converted to a packet to follow or Apollo itself, a Reddit client who reads the clipboard addresses to take to the corresponding section of the application.
Revealing these points is the fact that an app for unknown purposes may use this access to collect many personal information. If we are reasonable universal folding board, which syncs the clipboard with all of our devices, access is tremendous. It should be noted that if our iPhone or iPad is blocked, access to the things we copy on our Mac will not be granted. However, the materials used on the clipboard, in general, remain until they are replaced by the fact that, lately, apps on our iPhone or iPad can access the information.
On the other hand, an application that seems mysterious to this access is lacking resources to display it to us at system level. Myk developers are contacting Apple about it and the company has responded to that clipboard works as designed.
Access control and preventive measures
Hopefully in the near future, Apple will use a method where, as users, we can approve or deny permission access to the clipboard. An application such as access to a location, contacts or bluetooth that they must each authorize access to the clipboard information.
For now, all we can do is install on our devices the only apps we trust. It's not for the inclusion of Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube, etc. and we expect that, for example, they will not access our site via device IP. True, in iOS the system limits where apps don't have to themselves but, by design or carelessness, this approach can have cracks. Ultimately the question is,I trust the company behind the app? If the answer is not correct we must act accordingly.
What do you think about this situation? Would you like to see the clipboard access control for apps? Have you uninstalled any app because of this topic? Tell us in the comments.
