Apple will give you a free iPhone 14, but only if you can hack it

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Want a free iPhone 14 Pro? Well, Apple might just grant your wish, but there’s a catch. In a move that screams, ‘Hack me if you can!’ Apple is offering a specially crafted iPhone 14 Pro to security researchers.

The goal? To uncover and fix potential vulnerabilities in iOS.

But before you get too excited, know that this isn’t a free-for-all. Apple has some strict eligibility criteria, which include a proven track record in vulnerability research. And no, binge-watching Mr. Robot doesn’t count.

Those who make the cut will receive a unique iPhone that provides shell access and the ability to tweak the kernel for research exploits.

However, this isn’t a ‘keep what you hack’ deal. The iPhone remains Apple’s property and is strictly for on-site use only.

Researchers are also expected to play nice, using the device only for controlled security testing and promptly reporting any issues found.

Is all this worth a free iPhone 14?

If you have the capacity to do this, yes. It’s extremely lucrative.

Apple is offering bounties ranging from $5,000 to a whopping $1 million, depending on the type and severity of the issue discovered.

So, while the prospect of a free iPhone 14 Pro might seem enticing, remember that with great power comes great responsibility. Or in this case, with a free iPhone comes a whole lot of hacking.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Kevin Raposo

Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com.