Apple provided the FBI with the real identity of a user who was using the 'Hide My Email' feature of iCloud+, a paid feature that generates anonymous email addresses to protect user privacy.

Investigation Details

The disclosure occurred during an investigation into a man accused of sending a threatening email to Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI director Kash Patel. The email contained explicit threats and referred to a New York Times article describing how Patel had used FBI resources to provide security to his companion.

The 'Hide My Email' Feature

'Hide My Email' is an iCloud+ feature that allows users to create random and unique email addresses that redirect to their personal inbox. This system allows you to keep your primary email address private when filling out online forms or signing up for newsletters.

Apple's collaboration

According to court documents, Apple provided the FBI with data linking the anonymous email address 'peaty_terms_1o@icloud.com' to an Apple account in the name of Alden Ruml. The records showed that the account had generated 134 anonymous email addresses. When questioned, Ruml confirmed that he had sent the threatening email.