Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user privacy

Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by cyanite on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @06:59PM (#28228205)

Since it’s speculation at this point, I’d say we deal with it if and when it happens. I also don’t see how this doesn’t apply even worse to doing cloud side scanning, like companies otherwise do. Is that out of control? Is there any evidence of that?

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Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by jjcon on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @07:51PM (#28228702)

>I’d say we deal with it if and when it happens.

By the time we know that it is happening it will be far more difficult to do something about it (see Snowden and the Patriot Act).

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Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by zepto on Thursday August 19, 2021 @10:55AM (#28234616)

Now is the time to do something about it, but aiming at Apple is just an ineffective approach.

The only protection against future abuse, whether or not this mechanism is deployed, is a legal system that cares.

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Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by JohnFen on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @07:08PM (#28228309)

It's worse because the cloud is someone else's computer. When you're in someone else's house, you go by their rules.

Your devices, however, are your own house.

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Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by sparker72678 on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @07:20PM (#28228437)

So don't use iCloud Photo. The tech literally can't work without the server component.

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Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by eternalban on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @07:19PM (#28228419)

> the cloud is someone else's computer.

So by your logic, if I use a post office box, that means the postal service has the right to open all my packages?

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Re:Apple’s device surveillance plan is a threat to user priv... by Jtsummers on Wednesday August 18, 2021 @07:31PM (#28228520)

The USPS is restricted by the Constitution and other legislation on what it can do.

From: https://www.uspis.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/USPIS-FAQs....

> 4. Can Postal Inspectors open mail if they feel it may contain something illegal? First-Class letters and parcels are protected against search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution, and, as such, cannot be opened without a search warrant. If there is probable cause to believe the contents of a First-Class letter or parcel violate federal law, Postal Inspectors can obtain a search warrant to open the mail piece. Other classes of mail do not contain private correspondence and therefore may be opened without a warrant.

Companies hosting your data aren't similarly restricted (though if the US government wants access then they'd be restricted by the Constitution and legislation again). A company's ability to look at whatever you give them is only restricted by your contract with them and the technical limitations created by how you share it (upload encrypted files where they don't have the key? they can't really do much). They may have some legal restrictions on some kinds of data, but it's not going to be uniform across the globe so you'll have to take care with which companies you choose to host your unencrypted data.

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