Ask HN: Would you use Apple's Lockdown Mode when traveling to Taiwan?

4 points·whitepoplar··7 comments

I'm traveling to Taiwan soon for several weeks and am wondering...is it advisable to enable Lockdown Mode on my iPhone during my trip? I'm just a regular person, not a person of interest by any means, but given Taiwan's issues with China, are Taiwan's network users susceptible to Chinese spyware? Thanks in advance!

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> but given Taiwan's issues with China, are Taiwan's network users susceptible to Chinese spyware?

You could say this about the US too. The US has issues with China, are American network users susceptible to Chinese spyware? Chinese hardware is everywhere.

Do you enable Lockdown Mode in the US as well?

I do, yes. But while traveling, I've found it very useful to have rich media links, apps that don't break, etc.

If China wanted to spy on your iPhone, they would have just installed an extra chip in it at the factory. If you don't daily-drive in lockdown mode, then I wouldn't bother using it in Taiwan either.

If you're genuinely concerned, you should get a separate device for your trip.

For most travelers, basic cyber hygiene is enough.

I was in Taiwan in March just waving my iPhone around with no regard for my own safety like the dimwitted American I am. I guess China doesn’t really concern me - after all, I’m only a grocery store produce stocker.

i have taiwan friends who also disregard their safety using their phones like everybody else...they might seem dimwitted too for that but i can assure you their no china spies

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