John Paczkowski got a statement from Apple, denying that they provided the FBI with the database of device IDs:
“The FBI has not requested this information from Apple, nor have we provided it to the FBI or any organization. Additionally, with iOS 6 we introduced a new set of APIs meant to replace the use of the UDID and will soon be banning the use of UDID,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told AllThingsD.
Read more on AllThingsD.
So now the FBI has denied the data were in their possession, and Apple has denied providing it to the FBI. Absent any proof from AntiSec that they obtained it from an FBI notebook, it seems that they did obtain a database of real data, but I remain unconvinced as to where/how they obtained it. Some people are encouraging users who find their device IDs in the data dump to compile a list of apps they’ve used so that perhaps, a common culprit can be identified. Or perhaps the individuals who acquired the data will provide more evidence as to where they obtained it. Yes, the FBI could be lying. Yes, Apple could be lying. Hell, everyone could be lying, but we appear to have a real database and we don’t know who was in possession of it – or even how many business, agencies, or individuals may be in possession of it. Not a comforting situation.