this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2023
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[–] breakfastmtn@geddit.social 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Don't you know anything, Brits? Apple only strips security features for the Chinese government, you fools!

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's this publicly known, or just assumed because China blocks everything they can't read?

I assume that Apple gives the Chinese government access somehow, but I've never read details.

[–] breakfastmtn@geddit.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Apple proactively aids in censorship and stores all customer data, including encryption keys, on servers controlled by the Chinese government. They've also excluded security features from China and crippled existing features to aid government repression.

[–] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the links. Unfortunately, that NYT article does not make a single mention of iMessage or end-to-end encryption.

Last I checked, iMessage still works in China. I find it implausible that China would allow this without access. If there's a mechanism for that, I'd like to know what it is and how far it extends. The fact that Apple doesn't admit that there's a difference in iMessage's security in China makes me wonder whether it is compromised globally.

[–] breakfastmtn@geddit.social 1 points 1 year ago

I don't think there's any evidence of a global compromise but I think you're right that China wouldn't allow access if it didn't ultimately control it.

I couldn't find anything specific about iMessage but the keys are backed up to iCloud -- and we know that's compromised. I can't imagine them leaving users the option to just not back up to iCloud to avoid surveillance, but I haven't seen any specifics. Best to assume that under no circumstances do you ever have privacy from the gov't in China or even when messaging someone in China.

[–] PooCrafter93@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Haha yeah too right. UK government isn't authoritarian enough for apple to listen to

[–] breakfastmtn@geddit.social 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I mean, they didn't cave to Russia either. Apple just has principles until there's enough cash on the table. Then they claim to "always abide by local laws" wherever they operate.

[–] PooCrafter93@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah you are right there, just being too smart mouthed I guess

[–] breakfastmtn@geddit.social 2 points 1 year ago

Nah you were appropriately smart mouthed. The problem was my clumsy post intro.

[–] Beans_On_Banana@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

No, the UK just doesn't have enough population to bargain with.

[–] damnYouSun@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Oh, they are authoritarian enough. They just aren't powerful enough.

Want to know what it looks like to go power crazy with no power, then go look at the Tories.

[–] tdawg@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

it has more to do with where their factors are located. Hard to negotiate with the people who control the very land and people you utilize to build your hardware

Not saying that justifies it, just think we should be accurate with our outrage

[–] PooCrafter93@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah I agree that the CCP have more leverage due to the factories, aa well as the larger user base.

Just like to point out apple aren't some altruistic organisation, they are a corporation out to make money, and that the CCP suck.

Also, I profoundly disagree with the legislation this thread was originally about.

[–] rbits@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

I think it's more that they know they don't have any negotiating power in China. China doesn't care if they have iMessage, but the UK and the british people do.