A major controversy erupted at Yeshivas Chevron ahead of Rosh Hashanah after special “kosher” cellphones distributed to the yeshiva’s bochurim — and designated as the only devices they are permitted to use — were discovered to contain a loophole that reportedly allows users to bypass the phone’s restrictions and install virtually any application.

The devices, known as “Fig” phones, operate on Android 11 and were designed to provide several functions not ordinarily available on standard kosher phones approved by the Vaad Harabanim L’Inyanei Tikshoret. Among the permitted features are an app providing bus information, an app containing seforim, and music.

It has now emerged, however, that the restrictions built into the devices can apparently be circumvented, potentially giving bochurim access to unrestricted content and allowing them to install apps of their choosing.

One Chevron talmid told Matzav.com that the loophole involves creating an additional user profile on the device.

“The bochurim discovered that if you open a new user on the device, it is possible to access unwanted content,” he said.

Ironically, the vulnerability was reportedly discovered because bochurim were trying to download shiurim from Kol Halashon.

“The big story is that bochurim wanted to download shiurim from Kol Halashon, but they could not copy the shiurim with a cable to the station that is in the yeshiva,” the talmid explained. “So the yeshiva put up notices saying that it is possible to open a new user in the device’s settings, and then it would be possible to copy the shiurim. What became clear is that the new user has no filtering at all and no blocking.”

The discovery has reportedly caused considerable confusion inside the yeshiva, particularly because there are concerns that the loophole may not be easily resolved.

“This created tremendous confusion and a mess in the yeshiva, and apparently there is no way to overcome it,” the talmid said. “Even if they do a software update, the bochurim will find an option to bypass it. The yeshiva itself has still not issued a response on the matter, and the bochurim are waiting for a decision.”

According to information obtained by Matzav.com, yeshiva officials are expected to collect all of the devices from the bochurim, although no official announcement has yet been issued.

The special phone had originally been introduced as a solution to the problem of the so-called “kosher Xiaomi” — devices that outwardly resemble kosher phones but are actually smartphones that can be completely unrestricted.

The Chevron phone initiative itself had already generated controversy before the latest discovery.

When the phones were first distributed approximately a year ago, they were given only to the younger bochurim in Vaad Alef. The devices were provided at no charge, but each recipient was required to submit two deposit checks.

One check, for 600 shekels, was to be cashed if the device was damaged. A second check, for 1,500 shekels, was intended as a deterrent against deliberately breaking through the phone’s restrictions and would be cashed if a bochur was found to have done so.

The introduction of the device prompted opposition from several Gedolei Yisroel and roshei yeshiva, who spoke out against its use. Ultimately, however, the phone received the approval of the yeshiva’s leadership.

At the beginning of the current Elul zman, the program was expanded and the phones were distributed to all of the yeshiva’s bochurim, with recipients required to provide the two deposit checks.

Now, just weeks after the expanded rollout, the discovery that the supposedly restricted devices can apparently be opened to unrestricted applications has thrown the program into turmoil, with bochurim awaiting a decision from the yeshiva regarding what will happen to the phones.

{Matzav.com}