Fourth, Fifth and Fingerprints.

Touch ID

WSJ.com:

A Virginia Circuit Court judge ruled Tuesday that police officers cannot force criminal suspects to divulge cellphone passwords, but they can force them to unlock the phone with a fingerprint scanner.

How would the police officers force criminal suspects to unlock the phone with a fingerprint scanner? Does that include physically forcing the said suspect’s finger to the fingerprint scanner.

Back in October 2013, I helped setting up an iPhone 5s for a client of mine who is an attorney at law. I asked:

“Can the police just grab your hand and put your thumb on the home button to unlock your iPhone 5s?”

The answer I got from the attorney:

“I would say that is like beating you up for the passcode of your phone.”

Then there are these thing called Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

PilotOnline.com/hamptonroads.com:

Judge Steven C. Frucci ruled this week that giving police a fingerprint is akin to providing a DNA or handwriting sample or an actual key, which the law permits. A pass code, though, requires the defendant to divulge knowledge, which the law protects against, according to Frucci’s written opinion.

It is a common practice for the police to get suspect’s fingerprints during booking; but not during the time of the arrest. For sure the police would use those fingerprint records to fool Apple’s Touch ID if they could; but it is not that easy.

The question remains. Can the police grab the suspect’s hand and place the finger on the phone’s fingerprint scanner? I’ll leave it to to the lawyers and judges.

Then there’s this, no links but easy to search:

Apple’s Cool iPhone Fingerprint ID Means You’re Screwed

Does anyone remember that some Android phones have Face Unlock feature? Then again, who uses Face Unlock? It is relatively easy to unlock your friend’s phone who uses Face Unlock. Just hold the phone in front of their face, not that I have done it.

Anyway, there are ways to quickly “disable” Touch ID.

From Apple Support:

If Touch ID doesn’t recognize your finger, you’ll be asked to try again. After three attempts, you’ll be given the option to enter your passcode. After two more tries, you’ll need to enter your passcode. In addition, you’ll need to enter your passcode to unlock your iPhone or iPad in these cases:

  • After restarting your device
  • When more than 48 hours have elapsed from the last time you unlocked your device
  • To enter the Touch ID & Passcode setting

Remember that five failed attempts at Touch ID will require paste to unlock the iPhone.

Passcode is required to enable Touch ID

iPad Air 2

iPadAir2-3up-Lockscreen

Apple:

Now just 6.1 mm thin and weighing less than a pound, iPad Air 2 features an improved Retina® display for enhanced contrast and richer, more vibrant colors, and better cameras for taking stunning photos and videos. Available in gold, silver and space gray, the new iPad Air 2 and iPad mini™ 3 offer Touch ID™ so users can unlock their iPad with just the touch of a finger and make purchases easily and securely within apps using Apple Pay™.

Inclusion of Touch ID is definitely a huge plus.

The improved Retina display features a fully-laminated design that brings images and content closer to the user’s fingertips, resulting in an even more personal and intimate experience. A custom-designed anti-reflective coating reduces glare by 56 percent² for a clearer display in the office, the classroom or outdoors.

Apple is finally including anti-reflective coating.

iPad Air 2 is powered by the new Apple-designed A8X chip, which delivers a 40 percent improvement in CPU performance and 2.5 times the graphics performance of iPad Air, and still delivers the up to 10-hour battery life³ users expect while working, playing games or surfing the web.

Apple ABX chip is a huge improvement even from last year’s A7X chip.

iPad Air 2 is at 6.1 mm thickness.

iPad Air 2 pre-order starts on Friday, October 17, 2014.

Amazon App for iOS is Updated with Touch ID Support

Amazon app for iOS is updated with Touch ID support.

What’s New in Version 4.2.0

  • Sign in to Amazon with Touch ID
  • Bug fixes

UPDATE:

When I updated Amazon App, Touch ID was not enabled yet for third party apps. Apple must have flipped a switch to enable this feature for third party apps.

Amazon App Touch ID

At this point it is unclear how Amazon is implementing Touch ID support on its iOS app.

Amazon App with Touch ID

iOS 7.1.1

iOS 7.1.1 for iPhone 5s

Apple release iOS 7.1.1 build 11D201 on Tuesday April 22, 2014.

iOS 7.1.1

This update contains improvements, bug fixes and security updates, including:

  • Further improvements to Touch ID fingerprint recognition
  • Fixes a bug that could impact keyboard responsiveness
  • Fixes an issue when using Bluetooth keyboards with VoiceOver enabled

For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website:  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222

iOS 7.1.1 is available via iTunes or Over The Air (OTA). On your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 7.1.1

iOS 7.1.1 is available for the following iOS devices:

iPad:

  • iPad Air (Model A1474)
  • iPad Air (Model A1475)
  • iPad mini (Model A1489)
  • iPad mini (Model A1490)
  • iPad (4th generation Model A1458)
  • iPad (4th generation Model A1459)
  • iPad (4th generation Model A1460)
  • iPad mini (Model A1432)
  • iPad mini (Model A1454)
  • iPad mini (Model A1455)
  • iPad Wi-Fi 3rd generation
  • iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for ATT)
  • iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for Verizon)
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi (Rev A)
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)
  • iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (CDMA)

iPhone:

  • iPhone 5s (Model A1453, A1533)
  • iPhone 5s (Model A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530)
  • iPhone 5c (Model A1456, A1532)
  • iPhone 5c (Model A1507, A1516, A1526, A1529)
  • iPhone 5 (Model A1428)
  • iPhone 5 (Model A1429)
  • iPhone 4s
  • iPhone 4 (GSM)
  • iPhone 4 (GSM Rev A)
  • iPhone 4 (CDMA)

iPod touch:

  • iPod touch (5th generation)