$1000000 bug bounty! Apple challenges researchers to discover vulnerabilities in its AI security system
Apple has opened the door for researchers to investigate its Private Cloud Computing (PCC) system, designed to handle complex tasks for Apple Intelligence. The company has expanded its bug bounty program, offering rewards of up to $1,000,000 to those who identify vulnerabilities in the PCC framework.
The company emphasized that many Apple Intelligence-branded AI capabilities will work directly on devices like Macs and iPhones, ensuring user data remains stored on-site. However, for more complex tasks, requests are sent to a PCC server using Apple Silicon and an improved operating system.
AI features and user privacy
While some companies rely on servers to handle advanced AI requests, users often lack a deep understanding of the security measures surrounding these activities. Apple has emphasized its commitment to user privacy over the years, and the integrity of its cloud services remains important to maintaining that reputation. To address potential concerns, Apple designed PCC with strong security and privacy protocols, allowing security researchers to independently verify these protections.
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For those participating in the research effort, Apple is providing several resources:
1. The security guide details the technical specifications of the PCC system.
2. “Virtual research environment” facilitates security assessment of PCC on Apple Silicon Macs. Participants must have a device with at least 16GB of memory and must be running the latest macOS Sequoia 15.1 Developer Preview.
3. Access the source code on GitHub for key PCC components that support its security and privacy framework.
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The bug bounty program will award rewards ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 for vulnerabilities identified in a variety of categories. Apple promises to review all reported security issues for their potential impact on PCC, evaluating them for possible rewards.
The first rollout of Apple Intelligence features is planned with the upcoming iOS 18.1, which is scheduled to launch next week. Additionally, advanced features like Genmoji and ChatGPT integration were included in the initial developer beta of iOS 18.2, which was released recently.
