Apple dropped jailbreak detection API from iOS 4.2

Apple has silently dropped a method for detecting jailbreaks from new version of the iPhone OS. Jailbreaking refers to “cracking” iPhones so that non-iTunes apps can be run on it.

A few months ago the US Copyright Office ruled that jailbreaking is subject to the fair use provision in copyright law. The US government stated that in fact, jailbreaking is not a copyright issue and that therefore, Apple cannot claim protection on the basis of the DRM circumvention clause in the DCMA.

Around that time, unrest was created by the news that Apple could detect jailbreaks. Furthermore, Apple had filed a patent application for a method to shut down “unauthorised” iPhone users.

It seems that Apple has removed this detection API in iOS 4.2. App developers are not all that happy with cutting this API. Jailbreaking makes the iPhone more susceptible to malware, data theft and other cybertrouble. Every end user is of course free to make a choice, weighing the pros and cons of jailbreaking. Software makers are, however, legally responsible for their wares. A security breach could therefore have adverse effects on their products.