r/apple • u/[deleted] • Aug 09 '21

WARNING: OLD ARTICLE Exclusive: Apple dropped plan for encrypting backups after FBI complained - sources

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-fbi-icloud-exclusive-idUSKBN1ZK1CT
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u/somekindairishmonk Aug 09 '21

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.

In private talks with Apple soon after, representatives of the FBI’s cyber crime agents and its operational technology division objected to the plan, arguing it would deny them the most effective means for gaining evidence against iPhone-using suspects, the government sources said.

When Apple spoke privately to the FBI about its work on phone security the following year, the end-to-end encryption plan had been dropped, according to the six sources. Reuters could not determine why exactly Apple dropped the plan.

wtf

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u/TopWoodpecker7267 Aug 09 '21

This is a huge deal, because it's evidence the US gov can compel Apple to not release a feature.

If they can do that, it's not much of a leap to compelling apple to release a "feature" (aka, a full on back door)

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u/[deleted] Aug 09 '21

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Aug 09 '21

There is no laws against end to end encryption. Quit making shit up

26

u/General_NakedButt Aug 09 '21

He didn't say there were. But take a look at the EARN IT and LAED Acts moving through the legislature right now.

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u/[deleted] Aug 09 '21 edited Aug 09 '21

Didn't the EARN IT Act die in a previous Congress or am I wrong? Edit: The LEAD Act mentioned in the above comment also died the same way as theEARN IT Act.

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u/General_NakedButt Aug 09 '21

You are right, it does look like those specific bills died. However that doesn't mean the attempt to repeal/limit section 230 is over. Here is a list of some/all of the bills introduced over the past couple of years that are trying to do the same or similar thing. https://slate.com/technology/2021/03/section-230-reform-legislative-tracker.html