Ahead of its 10 June Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple has announced that it will be providing a minimum of five years of security updates for iPhones sold in the UK, thanks to new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regulations.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
This is significant because it sets a standard for how long companies must provide security updates for internet-capable products, ensuring that consumers can keep their devices up to date and secure for an extended period. Apple has submitted a public regulatory filing for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which shows that the device’s “defined support period” is a minimum of five years from the first supply date, which is listed as September 22, 2023. This means that iPhone users can expect to receive security updates for their devices for at least five years after their purchase.
The Impact
This commitment from Apple means that iPhone users can have confidence in the security of their devices for an extended period, providing some peace-of-mind and ensuring that they can continue to use their devices safely. While the five-year minimum is now set in stone, Apple has a history of providing security updates to older devices for several years longer than this minimum requirement, giving users even more reassurance about the longevity of their devices.
TF Summary: What’s Next
With these new regulations in place, consumers can expect other companies to follow suit and commit to providing security updates for their products for an extended period. This will benefit consumers by ensuring that their devices remain secure and up to date, even as technology continues to evolve. TF suspects that we may see even longer support periods for security updates, depending on popularity or utilizations, as companies strive to keep their customers’ devices secure and relevant for as long as possible.