U.S. Law Enforcement Seeks to Halt Apple-Google Encryption of Mobile Data
I hypothesize that this is a coordinated yet simple ruse to rebuild trust in these brands post-Snowden [1][2]. There was similar press coverage regarding the DEA and iCloud encryption that was misreported in a similar way [3]. The Intercept (where Glenn Greenwald is now reporting from) has a story on what data Apple can still easily give away if you do believe they can't decrypt individual machines [4]. But maybe you don't believe it given the report from the ACLU on backdoors built into iPhones that circumvent encryption [5], and the Hope X talk on backdoors security researchers independently discovered [6].<p>More importantly, Apple's warranty canary was removed which either means they were served by National Security Letter or (if you're optimistic sort of person) that they are no longer committed to notifying consumers in the event that have been, which flies directly in face of all the PR talk of security commitment recently [7]. Plus remember, Apple can push whatever software they want to your personal device. That's how smartphones work.<p>We are led to two questions:<p>A) Why wouldn't the same tactics, National Security Letters and ORCHESTRA-type attacks work [8]? Don't we remember from the Snowden leaks that NSA agents infiltrate tech companies and backdoor software at the source when other avenues are closed or gridlocked?<p>B) Why all of the publicity about about how secure Apple's product are from snooping? Do we really think we can get away from ubiquidous global surveillance that easily?<p>I'm sorry. Investigative bodies don't publicly announce what technologies they can't track. There is no phone you can buy on the mass market that will keep your data safe with the exception of - perhaps? - the BlackPhone [9].<p>[1] <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-google-meet-with-obama-2013-8" rel="nofollow">http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-google-meet-with-obama-...</a><p>[2] <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/17/obama-tech-executives_n_4460967.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/17/obama-tech-executiv...</a><p>[3] <a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/04/apples_imessage.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/04/apples_imessa...</a><p>[4] <a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/09/22/apple-data/" rel="nofollow">https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/09/22/apple-data/</a><p>[5] <a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/technology-and-liberty-criminal-law-reform-immigrants-rights/new-document-sheds-light" rel="nofollow">https://www.aclu.org/blog/technology-and-liberty-criminal-la...</a><p>[6] <a href="https://pentest.com/ios_backdoors_attack_points_surveillance_mechanisms.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://pentest.com/ios_backdoors_attack_points_surveillance...</a><p>[7] <a href="https://gigaom.com/2014/09/18/apples-warrant-canary-disappears-suggesting-new-patriot-act-demands/" rel="nofollow">https://gigaom.com/2014/09/18/apples-warrant-canary-disappea...</a><p>[8] <a href="http://mirror.as35701.net/video.fosdem.org//2014/Janson/Sunday/NSA_operation_ORCHESTRA_Annual_Status_Report.webm" rel="nofollow">http://mirror.as35701.net/video.fosdem.org//2014/Janson/Sund...</a><p>[9] <a href="https://www.blackphone.ch/" rel="nofollow">https://www.blackphone.ch/</a><p>Additional reading:<p>(1) <a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/06/the_problems_wi_3.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/06/the_problems_...</a><p>(2) <a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/10/defending_again_1.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2013/10/defending_aga...</a><p>(3) <a href="https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2012/08/is_iphone_secur.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2012/08/is_iphone_sec...</a>