Theresa May is concerned that foreign hackers could use the devices to spy on sensitive Cabinet meetings, The Telegraph reported today. May has introduced the legislation since coming into office earlier this year, ending David Cameron’s acceptance of the device. Formerly, several cabinet ministers wore their Apple Watch into meetings.
“The Russians are trying to hack everything,” one unnamed source said to the Telegraph. May is concerned Russia could be able to crack Apple’s security mechanisms and access the devices of senior cabinet ministers. The Apple Watch’s integrated microphone could then be used to create recordings of the Cabinet’s conversations.
Mobile phones are already banned in Cabinet. The rule was enforced during David Cameron’s first meeting as Prime Minister in May 2010. Cameron told his ministers that mobile phones and BlackBerrys would not be tolerated during his tenure. Mobile phones and similar electronic devices are now allowed in Parliament but must be in silent mode.
The U.K. is not the only country to ban the Apple Watch and similar devices from its cabinet. Over the weekend, Australia confirmed that it will be continuing its existing policy of banning all electronic devices from cabinet meetings. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is known to be a fan of the Apple Watch and has been caught using it while in the House of Representatives in the past. A spokesman said Turnbull has to take it off and place it in a locker before attending cabinet meetings though.
“In a world in which it is necessary for government to have conversations that truly have no electronics in the room, there are going to be more and more items that will have to be locked away in cabinets,” The Sydney Morning Herald reported Alastair MacGibbon, Mr Turnbull’s special adviser on cyber security, said.
The U.K.’s concerns about Russian hackers gaining access to the Apple Watch are not considered entirely unfounded. Recently, Russian hackers have demonstrated their skill and ability by releasing a series of high-profile leaks. Last week, the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. blamed Russia for stealing emails from the Democratic National Committee earlier this year. WikiLeaks operator Julian Assange has warned there is still more data to be published.
There have been no high-profile hacks concerning the Apple Watch to date. However, flaws and vulnerabilities have been discovered that could compromise government environments. Notably, an issue that could allow the remote accessing of the wearable’s microphone was reported, although Apple said it has since resolved the bug with a software update.
