this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2024
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Privacy
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Right, apple definitely doesn't have access to the info on the products they make and sell to the public.
Do you know how encryption works?
Have you verified their encryption method? Where is the source code? Where is the third party public audit that verifies that it's implemented properly with no other means of access?
Blindly trusting that they say it's encrypted is basically the same as no encryption
On top of being privacy focused themselves, they are only working with AI parters who also pass a third party code review verifying that zero user data is stored.
Shit on Apple for not being repairable, sure. Shit on Apple for their walled garden, sure. But shitting on Apple over privacy is insane. They are they only big tech company that actually cares.
I used to hold the same opinion you do, but after reading this article, reality caught up with me:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/17/technology/apple-china-censorship-data.html
If you want a shorter version of this that puts the consequences into perspective, I recommend one of Cory Doctorow's blog posts: https://pluralistic.net/2021/05/18/unhealthy-balance-sheet/#think-manorialism
Taking the above behavior into account, Apple's value proposition for anyone that cares about digital sovereignty is extremely brittle. I've decided not to invest any further into their tech. Is it the worst evil that roams earth? No. But does it logically follow that you should defend all their practices? Also no.
After reading the above, it shouldn't surprise your that Apple spies on their users too, if only a bit less than, say, Facebook/Meta: https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar
Hope you can approach this with an open mind. I know it's hard, I certainly didn't want to start doubting what I thought was a valiant defender of consumer privacy. Cases like the San Bernardino shooter were testaments for Apple's commitment to me. It turns out that's only half the story though.
Here is the documentation regarding third party verification of their security claims.
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/certifications/apc3cea61877b/web
I’m assuming for some reason this is not good enough for you?
I mean, None of these appeared to specifically be about the air tag. But it is at least does help show a general overall commitment to security. So it's not as if it's not a huge point in favor of trusting that the airtag data is safe
Do you know how decryption works?
Yes, only the person with the key can decrypt. Apple doesn’t have the keys.
That's what the NSA said about DES. Fun fact: they were lying.
Learn your crypto war history.
They also "Didn't have them" in the past and then gave them to the NSA. 🙃
Source? As far as I know they didn’t claim to not know location until iOS 17 release. Up until then they could access that info, and were required to give it up provided with warrants. This has been a reason Apple has actively been limiting the data they have access to. They cannot be compelled to give up data they have no way of accessing.