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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

#271

Post by inetknght »

jcarrano wrote: post #212

The smartphone is a terrible platform. Something like this could never happen on the PC, where you can install any encryption and backup software that you want. While Apple did the right thing by refusing to give the UK government a backdoor, they are responsible for getting users in this situation in the first place. I'm not familiar with the iPhone and maybe there is already an alternative to iCloud ADP, although t…

> Something like this could never happen on the PC, where you can install any encryption and backup software that you want.

Microsoft wants to have a word with you regarding their Windows operating system that's installed on their device that you're renting.

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

#272

Post by globular-toast »

ComputerGuru wrote: post #199

Note that this doesn’t satisfy the government’s original request, which was for worldwide backdoor access into E2E-encrypted cloud accounts. But I have a more pertinent question: how can you “pull” E2E encryption without data loss? What happens to those that had this enabled? Edit: Part of my concern is that you have to keep in mind Apple's defense against backdooring E2E is the (US) doctrine that work cannot be comp…

> But I have a more pertinent question: how can you “pull” E2E encryption without data loss? What happens to those that had this enabled?

Well exactly. The UK just showed the whole thing is a joke and that Apple can do this worldwide.

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

#274

Post by freeone3000 »

tene80i wrote: post #239

I have a naive question, and it's genuine curiosity, not a defence of what's happening here. This ADP feature has only existed for a couple of years, right? I understand people are mad that it's now gone, but why weren't people mad _before_ it existed? For like, a decade? Why do people treat iCloud as immediately dangerous now, if they didn't before? Did they think it was fully encrypted when it wasn't? Did people no…

iCloud and iPhones have traditionally resisted US governmental overreach, only giving data to iCloud in cases of actual criminal prosecution against specific individuals. As well, iPhone backups in iCloud is relatively new, as are many other arbitrary storage features — it used to just be your songs and your photos! Now it’s data from all of your apps and a full phone backup. Hence the resistance: the stories of police being unable to recover data from a locked iPhone may now be over

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

#275

Post by HumblyTossed »

fdb345 wrote: post #253
freeqaz wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's why it's important to use apps like Signal where you can set the retention of your messages. I've got everybody I know using it now!

In a world where they cancel encryption they can't access... doesn't Signal and its CIA funded origins concern you?

Nope. I actually think that would bring more scrutiny and so I feel safer knowing it's not be cracked.

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

#276

Post by vuln »

hugh-avherald wrote: post #246
freeqaz wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's why it's important to use apps like Signal where you can set the retention of your messages. I've got everybody I know using it now!

Setting a retention time out is playing with fire. If the police get ahold of the other party's device, and present an exhibit which they say contains the true conversation, you could be worse off than if you retained the conversation. The fact that you have since deleted it could be incriminating. In some jurisdiction, yes, legally, such evidence might not be probative, but you might still convicted because of it.

The retention time can be set by individual conversation not just the whole app.

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

#277

Post by palmotea »

spwa4 wrote: post #192
palmotea wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Our government is almost schizophrenic in its attitude to encryption. Of course: it's not a monolithic entity. It's a composite of different parts that have different goals an interests.

And yet if I steal your money and refuse to give it back, or let you steal it back, you'll call that hypocritical. What does the size of an entity have to do with whether this is idiotic or not?

>> Of course: it's not a monolithic entity. It's a composite of different parts that have different goals an interests.

> And yet if I steal your money and refuse to give it back, or let you steal it back, you'll call that hypocritical.

That's a bad analogy.

> What does the size of an entity have to do with whether this is idiotic or not?

Because it's not about the size, and I said nothing about the size. It's about it being composed of different minds, organized into different organizations, focused on different goals.

It's just not going to behave like one mind (without a lot of inefficiency, because you'd need literal central planning), because that's not the kind of thing that it is.

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

#278

Post by grahamj »

throwaway77385 wrote: post #206

The nightmare continues. For now I am using 3rd party backup services that are (currently) promising me that my backups are encrypted by a key they do not have access to, or control over. But can this even be believed in an age where these secret notices are being served to any number of companies? I suppose the next step would be to ensure that files don't ever arrive in the cloud unencrypted, but I have yet to see…

IMO the only thing you can have a high level of trust in is your own *nix server. Backup those devices to it then encrypt there before being sent to the cloud.

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

#279

Post by inetknght »

snowwrestler wrote: post #260
jcarrano wrote: post #212

The smartphone is a terrible platform. Something like this could never happen on the PC, where you can install any encryption and backup software that you want. While Apple did the right thing by refusing to give the UK government a backdoor, they are responsible for getting users in this situation in the first place. I'm not familiar with the iPhone and maybe there is already an alternative to iCloud ADP, although t…

I haven’t checked lately but since it launched the iPhone has allowed the owner to choose whether to back up to Apple’s servers (which would be affected by the UK order) or back up to their local computer.

> or back up to their local computer.

You mean back up to their Apple computer, yes?

I certainly can't back up an iPhone to my Linux computer.

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

#280

Post by redox99 »

Eavolution wrote: post #128

What are you actually supposed to do in the UK if you oppose this sort of thing to stop laws like this coming in? It feels like the government has been incredibly out of touch for the last number of years.

I would guess you'd vote a libertarian party.
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