Apple has two services that host your messages: Messages in iCloud syncs your messages between devices, and it is end-to-end encrypted. However, the company dropped plans to let its users fully encrypt backups after the FBI complained that this would make it more difficult for law enforcement to get iPhone users’ data. Perhaps there could be an advanced option that encrypts them behind a big warning message.Īccording to a report in Reuters from January 2020, Apple was planning to offer end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups. It’s fair to ask, however, why Apple doesn’t at least offer end-to-end encryption as an option for backups. To implement an account recovery process that doesn’t lose data, Apple must have the key that unlocks those backups. Imagine explaining to a bunch of Apple customers that, actually, they can never access their data again because they forgot their passwords. In this way, end-to-end encrypted backups are less user-friendly. With end-to-end encryption, Apple could give you access to your account-but if you lost your password, you would never be able to access those backups again.
IMESSAGE FOR MACBOOK PASSWORD
If you lose your Apple ID password and go through Apple’s password recovery process, you can regain access to all your data, including your iMessage backups. There are several reasons why Apple doesn’t use end-to-end encryption for backups.įirst, this provides more protection for average people who lose their passwords.
RELATED: Why SMS Text Messages Aren't Private or Secure Why Aren’t iCloud Backups End-to-End Encrypted? SMS messages aren’t even private or secure when you’re sending and receiving them! Your cellular carrier can see their contents. Of course, even iMessage is much better than traditional text messages. Only messages and attachments in iMessage are stored.) (As that policy says, Apple never stores the contents of FaceTime audio or video calls. This also means that Apple could turn over the contents of your iMessage history if compelled to by a government.Īpple makes all this clear in its iMessage and FaceTime Privacy policy. If Apple’s servers were compromised or someone else gained access to your iCloud account, they could see the contents of your messages. In other words: Apple and its employees could technically access the contents of your iMessage backups on Apple’s servers.
However, Apple receives a copy of the key that is used to encrypt that backup. With iCloud Backup enabled, your iCloud messages are encrypted, then backed up to iCloud and stored on Apple’s servers.
If you have iCloud Backups enabled on your iPhone or iPad-and most people do-then there’s a big hole in the normally secure, end-to-end encryption. iCloud Backups Are Enabled by Default and Aren’t E2E Encrypted
This means that Apple and its employees cannot see the contents of the iMessages you’re sending and receiving-even if they wanted to. What’s more, Apple’s FaceTime service also uses end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, too. Photos, videos, and other file attachments are also encrypted. Only the sender and receiver of the messages can see their contents.
IMESSAGE FOR MACBOOK MAC
iMessage Uses End-to-End Encryption to Send and Receive MessagesĪpple’s iMessage for iPhone, iPad, and Mac always uses end-to-end encryption. But there’s a big privacy hole in iMessage, and it’s named iCloud. This ensures only you and the person you’re talking to can see your messages. Apple’s iMessage service uses secure end-to-end encryption.
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