I'm curious whether the community has any insight into the *reports that the UK government is seeking a backdoor to Apple encryption* . The implication is that the UK wants a backdoor to Apple's "Advanced Data Protection" - in other words, it's end-to-end encryption option for certain iCloud services, including backups.
Is this even technically possible? The whole purpose of Apple's adoption of end-to-end encryption was to keep the security keys out of Apple's hands. Obviously, Apple could program the security feature to be deliberately deceptive in only pretending to encrypt using local keys ... but that level of mandated deception seems a bit extraordinary, even for a British security service mandarin.
This seems like another good reason to lean heavily on DEVONthink's sync encryption. I had eschewed allowing iCloud to back up my DT databases as they were essentially available to Apple and anyone Apple permitted to access data Apple had encrypted using its keys. But I had considered turning on the back-up feature now once Apple's Advanced Data Protection became available. Now that would seem to be unwise?
For clarity, HMS intelligence agencies (or their US partners through the "Five Eyes" spy co-op) would have no interest in my stored data, but even the US Gov't just started recommending secure end-to-end encryption because of widespread Chinese and other actor hacks of centralized "secure" systems. Hmm, unless they're now recommending it because they found a way to break it!
It’s impossible to say what’s “possible” as none of us are behind the closed doors at Apple (or any government agencies). This isn’t the first time a government is reportedly “seeking a back door” to our data. It won’t be the last.
Just work under the assumption that everything you have on your computer is accessible by a gov somewhere.
If they want you badly enough, they’ll get you for something.
lmao! the US gov recommending people to encrypt their stuff is like a thief telling a future victim to keep their stuff safe-- so that they can steal it…
Sorry to say, as a Brit, that this stems from some child-protection NGOs saying bad people use encrypted materials for their own ends. It’s like the vastly increased security at airports these days - all due to some other bad guys in the past, and we all have paid the price from then on. It’s a good idea to have back doors provided all governments and their agencies stay on the good side. One wonders!
