March 27, 2026
Bear patrol, but make it iPhone
Apple says no one using Lockdown Mode has been hacked with spyware
Apple: Zero hacks in Lockdown Mode — commenters: “that we know of”
TLDR: Apple says no Lockdown Mode user has been hit by mercenary spyware, with Citizen Lab and Amnesty reporting blocked attempts. Commenters clap back with skepticism about sample size, headline nitpicks, and meme on “bear patrol,” arguing it’s great protection—if people actually use it and the threat scope is clear.
Apple just claimed that since launching Lockdown Mode in 2022, no one using it has been hacked by mercenary spyware. That’s the scary, super‑sophisticated stuff like NSO Group’s Pegasus used by governments. Independent watchdogs like Citizen Lab and Amnesty International back it up, saying they’ve seen attacks blocked, and even Google researchers spotted spyware backing off when it detects Lockdown Mode. Security pro Patrick Wardle calls it “one of the most aggressive” protections on a consumer phone. Big flex.
But the comments? A whole mood. The top reaction is pure side‑eye: “that we know of.” Skeptics want numbers: how many people even use Lockdown Mode? Without adoption stats, some say it’s like bragging your “bear-proof suit” works without proving anyone wore it. Others pounce on wording, calling out a “trash headline” and noting Apple’s exact line was about mercenary spyware, not every possible hack. One user goes geopolitical, worrying less about “spyware” labels and more about state actors in general. And then the meme dropped: the “Bear Patrol” joke—no bears here, so patrol’s perfect, right?
So while Apple’s scorecard looks spotless, the thread devolves into a spicy seminar: Is this a niche shield for high‑risk targets or something more people should switch on? Until Apple shares how many are actually using it, the internet will keep asking—and joking—about who’s really safe.
Key Points
- •Apple says it has not observed any successful mercenary spyware attacks on devices with Lockdown Mode enabled since the feature’s debut.
- •Lockdown Mode, launched in 2022, reduces attack surface by disabling features like most message attachments and restricting WebKit.
- •Amnesty International’s security lab and Citizen Lab have not documented successful compromises with Lockdown Mode enabled; Citizen Lab saw it block Pegasus and Predator.
- •Google researchers reported a spyware operation that stops its infection attempt if Lockdown Mode is detected.
- •Apple continues to notify users in over 150 countries of suspected spyware targeting, though it has not disclosed exact numbers.