Following a period of apparent security, a potentially exploitable bug has been detected in Apple’s iPhone OS 3.0. The bug is associated with the Spotlight search function, allowing users to retrieve long-deleted email messages when searching even months after the fact.

The bug has been found while searching for the subject line of a deleted message associated with any standard POP or IMAP email account on the iPhone, raising concerns that this loophole could be used to mine data that most users would not know existed on their devices.

Apple had yet to address these reports but is sure to release a full security report, and a fix, if necessary, in the coming days.