Britain’s Ministry of Defense may begin using secured iPhone 7s

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) — the British government department responsible for implementing the defense policy set by Her Majesty’s Government— could start using secured iPhone 7 handsets for its sensitive communications, according a Telegraph report.

The agency has reportedly contracted BT — a British multinational telecommunications services company with head offices in London — to design a military-grade version of the Apple smartphone that personnel can use to discuss and store sensitive information. Hardened security on the handsets will purportedly let the military choose between different modes, such as “classified” and “sensitive” when communicating with one another. The MoD iPhone 7 will also come with “secure storage containers” where information can be stored. 

Apparently,  the MoD was initially going to use Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phones, but ruled out the Android device for not being safe or popular enough, according to The Telegraph. Instead, it has opted for Apple’s latest devices for their heightened in-built security and popularity among employees at the agency, the article adds.