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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

#301

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…

At one point in time, the entirety of web communication was completely unencrypted.

Why were people not mad then? Do you think people would be angrier now, if HTTPS were suddenly outlawed?

Among other valid answers, removing rights and privileges generally makes people angrier than not having those rights or privileges in the first place.

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

#302

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…

The smartphone platform is the most secure by default personal computer most people own, largely because of the control enforced by Apple.

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

#303

Think about it.. You don't even have to be an Apple user to be affected by this issue. If someone backs up their conversations with you to apple cloud, your exchange is now fair game. You get no say in it either. We all lose.

Scary - I try to use signal as much as possible now for this reason.

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

#304
post #106

Too right, it was far more problematic than they ever made out. > The UK government's demand came through a "technical capability notice" under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), requiring Apple to create a backdoor that would allow British security officials to access encrypted user data globally. The order would have compromised Apple's Advanced Data Protection feature, which provides end-to-end encryption for iCl…

> What concerns me more is that Apple is the only company audibly making a stand.

Meta also said they would make a stand if a similar request comes for WhatsApp. I'm not going to hold my breath though.

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

#305
If you care about privacy and security of your data, you aren’t using public services from Apple or Google, or “big tech” anyways.

I always thought of “cloud” services to be a sham. I only trust them with transient data or junk data anyways (glorified temp storage, at best).

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

#306
post #38
post #15

As a citizen, I don’t understand what the UK government thinks they are getting here - other than the possibility of leaks of the nation’s most sensitive data. Also is it not possible to set up my Apple account outside of the UK while living here?

> other than the possibility of leaks of the nation’s most sensitive data Amusing when you consider the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC, a part of GCHQ), along with the Information Commissioners Office, both publish guidance recommending, and describing how to use, encryption to protect personal and sensitive data. Our government is almost schizophrenic in its attitude to encryption.

In the US, the NSA has always had both missions (protect our country’s data and expose every other country’s data). Since everyone uses the same technology nowadays, that’s a rather hard set of missions to reconcile, and sometimes it looks a little ridiculous. As of fairly recently, they have a special committee that decides how to resolve that conflict for discovered exploits.

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

#307
post #303

Think about it.. You don't even have to be an Apple user to be affected by this issue. If someone backs up their conversations with you to apple cloud, your exchange is now fair game. You get no say in it either. We all lose.

Scary - I try to use signal as much as possible now for this reason.

Signal can't evade this law either.

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

#308
post #106

Too right, it was far more problematic than they ever made out. > The UK government's demand came through a "technical capability notice" under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), requiring Apple to create a backdoor that would allow British security officials to access encrypted user data globally. The order would have compromised Apple's Advanced Data Protection feature, which provides end-to-end encryption for iCl…

> (where you don't even have the right to legal advice, or the right to remain silent)

A lot is posted about LEO's lying in the US, this seems worse.

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

#309

I’m at the point where I’m ready to get a pixel and install graphene

Right but then you are jailed at Heathrow for not unlocking your phone. The UK has made it clear that Counter Terrorism legislation has no limits in UK law even if that means compromising all systems and leaving them vulnerable to state actor attacks. MPs will continue to use encrypted messaging systems that disappear messages during any inquiries of course.

Schiphol was already the superior airport for connections anyway, not being arrested just sweetens the deal.
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