Apple Inc. has announced an impressive $1 million reward for anyone able to hack its newly developed Private Cloud Compute, an advanced cloud platform that integrates artificial intelligence. This major initiative comes as Apple prepares to roll out its latest AI features in the upcoming iOS 18.1 update, which will bring significant enhancements to the iPhone’s virtual assistant, Siri, and other AI-driven capabilities.
In a recent blog post, Apple introduced its “Security research on Private Cloud Compute” program, inviting security researchers, ethical hackers, and analysts worldwide to test the strength of its new cloud security framework. Apple’s new cloud system will be powered by the company’s silicon-based servers, designed to offer what it describes as “the most advanced security architecture ever” for large-scale cloud AI processing.
The tech giant has opened up its Private Cloud Compute environment to a select group of third-party auditors and security experts. This access, which includes a dedicated Virtual Research Environment, aims to help researchers explore any potential security gaps. Apple hopes this proactive approach will reinforce its commitment to user privacy and data security while setting a high standard in the tech industry.
As part of this initiative, Apple has structured the bounty rewards based on the severity of security issues uncovered. Those who successfully execute a “remote attack on request data” could receive up to $1 million. Additional rewards include $250,000 for accessing sensitive information outside established security boundaries, and Apple has confirmed it will evaluate all security reports carefully, considering the quality and potential impact on users.
By inviting researchers to participate, Apple aims to showcase its commitment to safeguarding user data in the era of AI. Interested participants can find more details and submit their findings through the Apple Security Bounty page, where Apple looks forward to collaborating with the security community on this groundbreaking project.
