Apple is stepping up its game by inviting security experts to investigate the Private Cloud Compute (PCC) system that powers its more resource-intensive AI requests.

In line with this, the company has expanded its bug bounty program, offering payouts of up to $1,000,000 to anyone who uncovers vulnerabilities in the PCC.

Apple has proudly promoted that most AI features—branded as Apple Intelligence—will operate directly on your devices, such as MacBooks and iPhones, without requiring data to leave your hardware. However, for more demanding tasks, these requests are routed through the PCC servers, built on Apple Silicon and powered by a new operating system.

While many AI applications from other tech companies also rely on server-based processing for more complex requests, the security of these cloud-based operations often remains opaque to users. Apple, however, has long emphasized its commitment to user privacy. A vulnerability in its cloud servers could tarnish that reputation. To mitigate this risk, Apple has designed the PCC to ensure that its privacy and security promises are upheld, and third-party security researchers can verify these guarantees.

Buy Me A Coffee

For those interested in researching PCC security, Apple is providing:

  • A security guide detailing the technical aspects of the PCC.
  • Access to a “Virtual Research Environment” on Macs equipped with Apple Silicon, running the latest macOS Sequoia 15.1 Developer Preview, and with at least 16GB of RAM.
  • The source code for critical components of PCC, which contribute to its security and privacy measures, is available on GitHub.
READ
Apple Expands Apple Intelligence Features with iOS 18.2 Beta Release

Through its bug bounty program, Apple offers rewards ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000, depending on the severity of the vulnerabilities found. They will also review any security issue that has a significant impact on PCC for potential payouts.

The first Apple Intelligence features are expected to roll out next week with iOS 18.1, followed by bigger features like Genmoji and ChatGPT integration, which appeared in the iOS 18.2 developer beta released recently.