Since the iPhone was first released people have been hacking away at it, unlocking it, adding functionality to it, etc. But not too many people have put a lot of thought into the long-term effects of modifying the iPhone’s software. Today Apple issued a statement saying that iPhone unlocking may cause permanent damage to the device:

“Many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone’s software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed.”

The next iPhone software update, which will include new features like the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, is expected to come later this week. Of course unlocked iPhone owners have the option to not upgrade their software, and maintain the current system if they live without the fixes and added functionality. However, they should be aware that their warranty will be voided:

“Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty.”

While I know people who have unlocked iPhones (Apple employees even) personally I’ve always been hesitant to do it. The iPhone suits my needs just fine as it is, and to me it just wasn’t worth the risk. Also, while Apple can “break” unlocked iPhones from updating their software, iPhone hackers can “un-break” them, so who knows. One thing is for certain, though, this battle of unlocked iPhones between Apple/AT&T and consumers isn’t likely to end anytime soon.