FBI stymied by Apple's Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist's iPhone

February 5, 2026

Here's something that caught my attention — after seizing a journalist's iPhone, the FBI hit a wall because of Apple's Lockdown Mode. So, they could access her MacBook Pro with her fingerprint, but her iPhone stayed locked tight. According to Jon Brodkin at Ars Technica, this new security feature is designed to protect against sophisticated hacking attempts, and it’s proving a real headache for law enforcement. The FBI’s been trying to crack into the device as part of an investigation into leaked classified info, but Apple's lockdown defenses are holding strong. This raises a big question: how much power should Apple have to protect user privacy, even if it complicates criminal investigations? As Brodkin reports, Apple’s Lockdown Mode is a clear game-changer — honestly, it’s making it harder for agencies to get in, even with warrants. And get this — this isn’t just about one journalist; it’s a glimpse into the future of digital security that could impact everyone, everywhere.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has so far been unable to access data from a Washington Post reporter's iPhone because it was protected by Apple's Lockdown Mode when agents seized the device from the reporter's home, the US government said in a court filing.

FBI agents were able to access the reporter's work laptop by telling her to place her index finger on the MacBook Pro's fingerprint reader, however. This occurred during the January 14 search at the Virginia home of reporter Hannah Natanson.

As previously reported, the FBI executed a search warrant at Natanson's home as part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of illegally leaking classified data. FBI agents seized an iPhone 13 owned by the Post, one MacBook Pro owned by the Post and another MacBook Pro owned by Natanson, a 1TB portable hard drive, a voice recorder, and a Garmin watch.

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