In a report we posted earlier today, AntiSec, an activist group, claimed to have hacked an FBI computer and found 12 million Apple device UDID files containing names and phone numbers, along with other personal data of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) customers. The FBI has responded to this claim with a statement saying that it’s a false accusation.
The FBI issued the following statement this afternoon regarding the claims that they had been spying on millions of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) customers.
“The FBI is aware of published reports, alleging that an FBI laptop was compromised and private data regarding Apple UDIDs was exposed. At this time, there is no evidence indicating that an FBI laptop was compromised, or that the FBI either sought or obtained this data.”
The group posted a message on Pastebin earlier today, and claimed that they had evidence that the FBI was using Apple UDIDs to spy on customers. The message said they had found UDIDs for all different types of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) devices, ranging from the iPhone to the iPod Touch. The group claims that they wanted to sound the alarm to the general public that the top law enforcement in America was indeed, looking over their shoulder.
While this claim is fairly believable in this day and age, the FBI has denied any such happening. So, that brings up a whole different question. If AntiSec didn’t retrieve the information from an FBI computer, as they claimed, where did they get it and how? The list seems to be real, though they were careful not to expose names or actual personal details in it, citing that they had no intention of harming the public. So, who is lying? On one hand, you have a group of hackers, or Internet burglars, and on the other, you have a government agency which has been trained in espionage. So, who do you believe? Do you think the hackers are merely trying to draw attention, or is the FBI covering up its involvement with spying on American citizens?
