iPorn Fears

Exemptions passed by the US Government could mean iPhone owners will be able to legally unlock their devices so they can run software applications that haven't been approved by Apple.

Changes to the 1998 federal law prohibiting people from bypassing technical measures that companies put on their products to prevent unauthorised use of copyright-protected material mean the popular handheld device is now open to a practice termed ‘jailbreaking’ – installing unauthorised modifications to the smart phone.

Apple claims jailbreaking can make an iPhone unstable and unreliable.

‘Apple's goal has always been to ensure that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone, and we know that jailbreaking can severely degrade the experience,’ Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said.

Mario Ciabarra, founder of Rock Your Phone, which calls itself an ‘independent iPhone application store’ said the rules mark the first step toward opening the iPhone app market to competition and removing the ‘handcuffs’ that Apple imposes on developers.

Unless users unlock their handsets, they can only download apps from Apple's iTunes store.

Software developers must get such apps pre-approved by Apple, which sometimes demands changes or rejects programs for what developers say are vague reasons.

Mr Ciabarra noted that Google had taken a different approach with its Android operating system, which is emerging as the biggest competitor to the iPhone.

Google allows users of Android phones to download applications from outside the Android Market.

Although Apple has never prosecuted anyone for jailbreaking, it does use software upgrades to disable jailbroken phones and the new government rules won't put a stop to that.

That means owners of such phones might not be able to take advantage of software improvements and they still run the risk of voiding their warranty.