Apple abandoned its plans to allow iPhone users to fully encrypt backups of their iOS devices in iCloud after the FBI complained that full encryption would harm investigations, Reuters reports, citing “six sources familiar with the matter.”
What could possibly go wrong?
From Reuters:
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.
No comment from Apple or FBI.
Read more at Reuters:
Apple dropped plan for encrypting backups after FBI complained – sources
