The Privacy Flaw in Apple’s iPhone Mirroring Feature: What You Need to Know

Apple’s new iPhone mirroring feature, introduced with macOS 15.0 Sequoia and iOS 18, has recently been found to have a significant privacy flaw. Cybersecurity experts at Sevco discovered a bug that allows personal apps on an iPhone to be listed in a company’s software inventory when the mirroring feature is used on work computers. This can create privacy concerns for employees as sensitive information about their app usage can be exposed.

The issue arises from how iPhone mirroring integrates iOS app metadata into the macOS environment, allowing corporate IT departments to access metadata about personal applications without transferring any actual app data. This could potentially reveal private aspects of a user’s life, such as their use of VPNs, dating apps, or health-related services, putting them at legal or social risk depending on their location.

For employers, this flaw poses new liability risks, including potential violations of privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Companies could unintentionally collect private data and face legal consequences if this data is not managed properly.

Implications for Businesses and Employees

The vulnerability in iPhone mirroring could result in legal liability for companies under privacy laws like the CCPA, accidental exposure of sensitive employee information, and breaches of employee trust and privacy. According to cybersecurity experts like Jason Soroko and John Bambenek, the issue lies in how iPhone mirroring fails to separate personal app metadata from corporate software inventories, potentially revealing sensitive personal information.

To mitigate risks, Sevco recommends companies to disable iPhone mirroring on work computers, instruct employees not to use the feature on company devices, and review enterprise IT systems to prevent accidental collection of personal data. Privacy-conscious users are advised to keep personal apps off work devices or use virtual machines to maintain separation.

Immediate Steps for Companies

Apple is currently working on a fix for this vulnerability, and once it is available, companies should ensure it is implemented immediately to eliminate potential legal exposure. In the meantime, it is crucial for businesses to take proactive measures to protect employee privacy and prevent any unintentional data breaches.

Stay tuned for updates on the release of the patch to address this privacy flaw in Apple’s iPhone mirroring feature.