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Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

bbc.com

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Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#61
post #37
post #29

This can set a dangerous precedent. Now why wouldn’t any country demand the same, basically eliminating Advanced Data Protection everywhere, making user data easily accessible to Apple (and therefore governments)?

The choice was either eliminate it now (globally, via introduction of a backdoor) or eliminate it in the UK (but keep it globally). So, perhaps this is a bit of a dangerous precedent, but it was the least-bad option.

That’s a false dichotomy.

Another choice, however unpalatable to all parties, would have been for Apple to stop doing business in the UK.

Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While Apple especially under Tim Cook has done a lot questionable acquiescences under Cook for political expediences, they really didn’t have a choice here. It was the law. Now going back on Twitter to get in the good graces of President Musk and bringing TikTok back to the AppStore even though it is clearly against the law is different.

> they really didn’t have a choice here They did have a choice. They could have said they will just get out of UK. That would have resulted in enough political turmoil in UK that their government would roll back this stupid law. Apple chickened out.

Abandoning the UK market would hurt Apple more than it would hurt the UK. They are not a nation-state, Apple cannot wage diplomacy by threatening the government, they can only shoot their own foot off and say it was for the good of everyone.

It would also partially validate the EU's regulation if they abandoned the UK but stayed in Europe. Apple very much doesn't want to feed either side a line.

Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#65
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depends on what you’re after * Australia * United States * Singapore * Dubai * Europe (Belgium/Switzerland/Netherlands)

If you're after freedom, you absolutely do not want Singapore or Dubai.

The United States has the strongest laws for freedom of speech. You can't get arrested and face years of criminal legal trials, ending in an £800 fine for making a joke with your dog in America. Police won't show up at your house for Facebook posts like they do in Aussiestan. American courts probably won't take your infant away from you and force a medical procedure on it like in Kiwistan just because you wanted to use your own blood donors for the operation.

It's been degrading in the US too. Xitter is not at all a free speech platform and that technocrat says whatever he has to for popularity until he can chip your brain. Cutting a few million in wasteful government spending doesn't make up for how he loves China and deeply desires their level of autocracy.

America's laws have somehow held in-spite of presidents that seek to crush it (yes, both of them, both sides. They're the same. Stop believing the headlines and read the damn articles). Although defamation law has been weaponized to neuter some forms of speech and reporting.

There is an internal push by the CIA in America to further destabilize it and cause radical elements in the fake-left and fake-right to call for more authoritarianism. It's not a great nation, but sadly it is the last bastion of true liberty .. and it's eroding every day from every side.

In 20 years there might not be anywhere to flee to. Fight for your country. They can't put every British person in prison if everyone decided to tell the truth.

Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#66
post #39
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FWIW people always put too much trust in E2EE where they didn't control either end. This was a loooong time coming.

It’s not really end to end in that sense. They don’t get the key, they just store opaque data for you. The only way apple could get your data is to push code to your device to steal the key.

I think their point was that you don't control your device. If Apple did push code to your device to steal the key, how would you be able to tell?

Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#67
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The choice was either eliminate it now (globally, via introduction of a backdoor) or eliminate it in the UK (but keep it globally). So, perhaps this is a bit of a dangerous precedent, but it was the least-bad option.

That’s a false dichotomy. Another choice, however unpalatable to all parties, would have been for Apple to stop doing business in the UK.

See my other reply.

They could also sell the entire business to Google. Why bother with listing options even worse for everyone involved?

Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#68

I regret immensely not having turned ADP before... Now I'm feeling really angry at this whole thing.

The article reports that it will be disabled for existing users at a later date.

I'm guessing this is because they haven't figured out a way to do it yet. I'm not very well versed in how these systems work but surely this type of encryption can't be disabled by Apple remotely (or they would have that backdoor they don't want)?

Re: Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

#69
post #34

I regret immensely not having turned ADP before... Now I'm feeling really angry at this whole thing.

Here's how: On iPhone or iPad Open the Settings app. Tap your name, then tap iCloud. Scroll down, tap Advanced Data Protection, then tap Turn on Advanced Data Protection. Follow the onscreen instructions to review your recovery methods and enable Advanced Data Protection. On Mac Choose Apple menu  > System Settings. Click your name, then click iCloud. Click Advanced Data Protection, then click Turn On. Follow the on…

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> Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row

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