Apple's iMessage encryption is apparently preventing the DEA from intercepting messages, according to CNET. The agency said messages sent an iMessage are "impossible to intercept," even with a warrant. That's great news for every citizen who believes in privacy, but a real frustration for Federal authorities.
I could go into a rant here, but I won't. I will just say that just because the Feds need to arrest drug dealers doesn't mean the vast majority of law abiding citizens should have their private communications subject to review. I'm very glad that Apple's messages are encrypted and they should stay that way.
Apple is on the right side of this issue so far. Keep in mind though, the iTunes terms and conditions say they will share your data with the government if it become “reasonably necessary” to do so. That means if Apple is served with a warrant, your data will be shared.
An internal Drug Enforcement Administration document seen by CNET discusses a February 2013 criminal investigation and warns that because of the use of encryption, "it is impossible to intercept iMessages between two Apple devices" even with a court order approved by a federal judge.
The DEA's warning, marked "law enforcement sensitive," is the most detailed example to date of the technological obstacles -- FBI director Robert Mueller has called it the "Going Dark" problem -- that police face when attempting to conduct court-authorized surveillance on non-traditional forms of communication.
The DEA's warning, marked "law enforcement sensitive," is the most detailed example to date of the technological obstacles -- FBI director Robert Mueller has called it the "Going Dark" problem -- that police face when attempting to conduct court-authorized surveillance on non-traditional forms of communication.
I could go into a rant here, but I won't. I will just say that just because the Feds need to arrest drug dealers doesn't mean the vast majority of law abiding citizens should have their private communications subject to review. I'm very glad that Apple's messages are encrypted and they should stay that way.
Apple is on the right side of this issue so far. Keep in mind though, the iTunes terms and conditions say they will share your data with the government if it become “reasonably necessary” to do so. That means if Apple is served with a warrant, your data will be shared.