Apple bends a knee to wacko Brit backdoor demand. UK users, kiss your data goodbye.

[usonian]

Apple forced to kill popular security feature in the UK — here's what's happening
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/apple-forced-to-kill-popular-security-feature-in-the-uk-heres-whats-happening

Short of it:

The U.K. government ordered Apple to build a backdoor to user data in its Advanced Data Protection feature. Apple refused, which means it can no longer offer the feature to users in the United Kingdom.

"Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users and current UK users will eventually need to disable this security feature. ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, which means the data can only be decrypted by the user who owns it, and only on their trusted devices," said Apple in an email sent to the press.

Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom.


Apple said the change will not affect 14 iCloud data categories that are end-to-end encrypted by default. However, it means nine iCloud data categories covered by ADP (Reminders, Safari Bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, Voice Memos, Wallet Passes and Freeform) will be protected by Standard Data Protection (SDP). It isn't nearly as secure but still offers protection for users who share their stuff with iCloud.

Wallet passes? WTF?

For existing users, Apple said it can't disable the feature automatically. Instead, they will be given a period to disable the feature themselves if they wish to keep using their iCloud account. The company said it'll provide additional guidance to these users in the near future.

Explainer from Daily Mail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14421783/Urgent-warning-iPhone-users-Apple-REMOVES-highest-level-data-security-tool-UK-heres-means-you.html

Thankfully, the removal will not affect the 14 iCloud data categories that are end-to-end encrypted by default. This includes data like iCloud Keychain and Health, as well as communication services like iMessage and FaceTime.

'Apple doesn't have the encryption keys for these categories, and we can't help you recover this data if you lose access to your account,' Apple explains on its website.

However, nine iCloud categories will now only be protected by Standard Data Protection, with no option for end-to-end encryption.

These nine categories are iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, Photos, Notes, (HOLY SHIT!) Reminders, Safari Bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, Voice Memos, Wallet Passes, and Freeform.

Implication:

UK users are backdoored, and just as Apple kissed royal ass, "grandfathered" users with total end-to-end protection are expected to voluntarily surrender that backdoor key.

Further implication. EXPECT IT HERE IN THE U .S. FROM "THE KING"
If you turn on Advanced Data Protection, expect candy-ass Apple to drop it eventually or immediately even for current users.
WHEN?
In the U.S? It's when, not if, our King demands backdoors ...
iCloud backup? iCloud Drive? Holy shit! Time to turn that off and back up to the mac..

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ....



They fear THE KING and his HOLY HAND GRENADE.


THIS GODDAM THING IS TICKING, QUICK!! WHAT'S THE COMBINATION?

My opinion:
Remember, despite all claims of privacy, when data leaves your home, consider it government property. A "secure" email provider is giving out metadata, which is 90% of what governments need to hang your ass.

YMMV, but my rule is to trust nobody, or only save milquetoast data.
When this hits us. I will turn off iCloud backups and iCloud storage.
Unless ...

F 🍎

[Big Blue Marble]

1. Tim built the brand.

Tim destroys the brand.

[usonian]

2. IMO, real innovation passed with Steve Jobs.

And so did courage.

Even his pranks showed some chutzpah.

One well-known quirk about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was that he never had a California tag affixed to his Mercedes — something made possible through a legal loophole.

California vehicle laws stipulate(d) that anyone with a brand-new car has a maximum of six months to affix a license plate to their vehicle. This loophole was utilized by Jobs, according to ITWire, to avoid putting a plate on his car.

"Jobs made an arrangement with the leasing company; he would always change cars during the sixth month of the lease, exchanging one silver Mercedes SL55 AMG for another identical one," author David Heath revealed. "At no time would he ever be in a car as old as six months, and thus there was no legal requirement to have the number plates fitted."

The loophole was closed.

[Big Blue Marble]

3. I agree.

Most of innovations in the last decade were in the works when Jobs died. Tim has always
been more about increasing stock value than making a better product. As a Mac user
for over 30 years, I have seen the ethos of Apple change from a edgy upstart with great
innovations to a stodgy corporation with a few good products that work pretty well.

Tim caves to China, to Trump, and now the UK. The privacy brand is taking the hit
every where. And given the majority of Apple customers are liberal, I imagine few
were happy to see Tim Apple cozy up to Trump at the inauguration.