This reminds me of today’s news regarding Apple encrypting stuff on the iCloud now as a measure of security protection, and LE’s concern about this. I wonder how this is going to play out going forward, and if it could potentially impact this case going forward...Supposedly even if LE has a warrant they won’t be able to get some of the information they were able to previously, as I understand it:
iMessage Contact Key Verification, Security Keys, and Advanced Data Protection for iCloud provide users important new tools to protect data.
www.apple.com
The optional feature would keep most data secure that’s stored in iCloud, a service used to back up iPhones or save specific device data such as Messages. The data would be protected in the event Apple is hacked, and it also wouldn’t be accessible to law enforcement, even with a warrant.
www.wsj.com
Apple Plans New Encryption System to Ward Off Hackers and Protect iCloud Data
‘Advanced Data Protection’ will offer end-to-end encryption on iCloud backups, Notes, Photos and other services—a step that may draw ire from law enforcement”
“An Apple spokesman declined to comment on the company’s handling of the encryption issue or any discussions it has had with the FBI. The FBI did not respond to requests for comment on any discussions with Apple.”
[...]
“More than two years ago, Apple told the FBI that it planned to offer users end-to-end encryption when storing their phone data on iCloud, according to one current and three former FBI officials and one current and one former Apple employee.
Under that plan, primarily designed to thwart hackers, Apple would no longer have a key to unlock the encrypted data, meaning it would not be able to turn material over to authorities in a readable form even under court order.”
—-
Apple is rolling out new security features that include encryption for most of your iCloud data — much to the chagrin of law enforcement.
www.engadget.com
“New security features will keep more of your data safe from hackers and law enforcement.”
“It may be more difficult for hackers to grab your iCloud data — and even Apple is rethinking its access to sensitive content. The company is
introducing a raft of security measures that run the gamut from expanded end-to-end encryption to
a reversal of a controversial program intended to identify possible child sex offenders. The launch is headlined by
Advanced Data Protection, an optional feature that applies end-to-end encryption to more iCloud data. While Apple was already protecting 14 data categories, the new offering protects 23 — including iCloud device backups, photos and notes. Your calendar, contacts and iCloud Mail are still unencrypted to support global systems.”
[...]
“At the same time, Apple is backing away from its
controversial efforts to screen for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The company
tells Wired it has shelved a technology that would have
detected known CSAM photos in iCloud and flagged accounts for reviews if they held a certain number of the toxic images. The change of heart comes after "extensive consultation" with experts, according to Apple — the company has decided that it can protect children without searching this data. Instead, it's focusing on opt-in Communication Safety features that warn parents about nudity in iMessage photos as well as attempts to search for CSAM using Safari, Siri and Spotlight.”
[...]
The tech giant is pitching the new security features as useful tools for its most privacy- and security-conscious users, whether they're high-profile targets or simply people willing to trade some convenience for peace of mind.
However, they could also set up further conflicts between Apple and law enforcement. The FBI and other agencies have frequently attacked Apple for making it difficult to crack suspects' iPhones through iOS' end-to-end encryption. Now, police might also be shut out of iCloud data they could previously obtain through official requests — Apple couldn't comply with orders even if it wanted to.”
—
The company plans to expand its Communication Safety features, which aim to disrupt the sharing of child sexual abuse material at the source.
www.wired.com
“IN AUGUST 2021, Apple announced a plan to scan photos that users stored in iCloud for child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The
tool was meant to be privacy-preserving and allow the company to flag potentially problematic and abusive content without revealing anything else. But the initiative was controversial, and it
soon drew widespread criticismfrom privacy and security researchers and digital rights groups who were concerned that the surveillance capability itself could be abused to undermine the privacy and security of iCloud users around the world.”
—-
January 2020:
