[theGimp]

There could be truth in that number depending on what encryption algorithms are used. Some take significantly longer than others to apply.

On a tangent, I trust Apple's competence but I have seen no information on the technicalities of this feature. I would like to hear specifics so we can estimate how secure the design is based on facts.

[ghshephard]

Re: "I have seen no information on the technicalities of this feature."

https://www.apple.com/privacy/docs/iOS_Security_Guide_Sept_2...

[privong]

> There could be truth in that number depending on what encryption algorithms are used. Some take significantly longer than others to apply.

The computational burden likely cannot be too high, as it is running on mobile hardware and people expect rapid access to their data after entering their passcode.

[rdwallis]

The decryption is probably being done by specialized circuitry on the chip. It might perform the operation faster than a much more powerful machine.

[privong]

Good point, thank you.

Going back to @theGimp's comment, it is probably safe to assume that nation-states that might want to decrypt this would have some form of access to that circuitry (either a specialized implementation or by using the apple chip) and could sidestep the speed issue. It seems like, to 0th order, it would either be slow for everyone or quick for everyone.