Does anyone have any knowledge of RTC reporting messages log? I found it downloaded in my phone

I recently found this in my logs… wtf!!!

DrewC9 wrote:

Seems like no one wants to tell me what it really is. Thanks for nothing

There's little documentation of that published anywhere, and few references to it on the 'net.

Is this macOS? Or iOS or iPadOS? Or something else? Locally, or in iCloud? You had mentioned "in your files", and I'd assumed that was in your own files locally or in iCloud, but that could also mean the file is part of, for instance, macOS, and is accordingly protected by macOS.

If you want to know about macOS internals, one place to start with the three volumes of the New OS X Book.

The "RTC reporting messages log" you found on your phone might seem unsettling at first, but it's actually a harmless file related to Apple's internal analytics and diagnostics. Here's what you need to know:

What is RTC reporting?

RTC stands for "Real-time Communications". This refers to Apple's technology for facilitating audio and video calls, including FaceTime, Messages with video, and third-party apps that use Apple's call protocols.

The RTC reporting messages log collects data about your usage of these calls, such as:

• When you make or receive a call
• The type of call (e.g., FaceTime audio, Messages video)
• The duration of the call
• The quality of the call (e.g., dropped frames, audio or video issues)

Why does Apple collect this data?

Apple uses this data to improve the performance and stability of its call technologies. By analyzing usage patterns and identifying common issues, they can diagnose and fix problems, optimize call performance, and develop new features.

Is my privacy at risk?

Apple claims that the RTC reporting messages log does not contain any personal information such as your contact information, call content, or identifiers. The data is anonymized and aggregated before being analyzed.

Can I delete the log?

Yes, you can safely delete the RTC reporting messages log. It will automatically be recreated if you continue using Apple's call technologies.

What if I'm still concerned?

If you're uncomfortable with Apple collecting any data whatsoever, you can disable RTC reporting. However, this might affect the quality and performance of your calls.

Here are some resources for further information:

• Apple's Developer Documentation on Analytics and Telemetry: Apple’s Developer Programs and Your Privacy - Support - Apple Developer
• Apple's Privacy Policy: Legal - Privacy Policy - Apple

In short, the RTC reporting messages log is a technical file used by Apple to improve its call technologies. You can safely delete it or disable the feature if you prefer, but it's important to understand that all technology companies collect some data in the name of improvement.

I hope this information helps!

[Edited by Moderator]

It’s a diagnostic log, showing a TLSv1.3-protected iCloud transfer of 758 bytes of data via cellular.

It's just Apple's way of demonstrating "transparency" and confusing people in the process.

You can read more about it here: https://www.apple.com/privacy/docs/Differential_Privacy_Overview.pdf

I recommend avoiding any similar displays. There is no information that would be useful to you. If Apple didn't include this information, then the usual Apple haters on social media would be publishing constant fake news about "what is Apple hiding", "why won't they tell us the data they are collecting", "is Apple sending our data to the NSA?"

Well, they do that anyway, but it would be worse if Apple wasn't pre-emptively publishing that information.

I’d delete the file, and move on.

We’re not in a position to determine where or how that file arrived.

Apple makes little available on RTC Reporting. Here is some of that little:

NAME
rtcreportingd — Diagnostics and Usage Reporting

SYNOPSIS
     rtcreportingd

DESCRIPTION
rtcreportingd is a system daemon that collects diagnostics and usage 
telemetry data locally for users that have opted in for reporting.

There are no configuration options to rtcreportingd, and users should 
not run rtcreportingd manually.

sugarsnaps16 wrote:

could you elaborate in lamens terms please? is this totally normal? i get these and i have my icloud turned off, never backup, never get on wifi, never opt to transfer anything. i have no vpn, never sign into my icloud via apple.com.

This is utterly normal and benign log chatter.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

sugarsnaps16 wrote:

could you elaborate in lamens terms please? is this totally normal? i get these and i have my icloud turned off, never backup, never get on wifi, never opt to transfer anything. i have no vpn, never sign into my icloud via apple.com.

In layman's terms, never backing up is a really bad idea.

Yeah, but the near-inevitable data loss resulting will be both very effective and very secure. 🤪

But seriously, I’m assuming that sugarsnap16 backs up locally.

Inferring much, PinePhone or other such device might better fit a preference for no vendor integration, if that’s a goal here.

all my contacts are handwritten down and my photos are backed onto an external drive and i don't care about anything else i have on my phone.

I have a Macbook with the latest version of the MacOS running and, currently, I'm monitoring all the connections that my Mac does with the internet (just for fun), using Little Snitch Mini (highly recommend, very nice interface). I've found that my Mac connects every day to a server located in Japan through this "rtcreportingd" process (attached screenshot). It is interesting because I've opted out of all analytics reports to Apple in my settings, but still, it seems to report.

[Edited by Moderator]

DDG finds this: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/26900625/what-is-pancake-apple-com

This not being telemetry.

Little Snitch is a wonderful tool, and one that I’d recommend removing.

could you elaborate in lamens terms please? is this totally normal? i get these and i have my icloud turned off, never backup, never get on wifi, never opt to transfer anything. i have no vpn, never sign into my icloud via apple.com.

sugarsnaps16 wrote:

could you elaborate in lamens terms please? is this totally normal? i get these and i have my icloud turned off, never backup, never get on wifi, never opt to transfer anything. i have no vpn, never sign into my icloud via apple.com.

In layman's terms, never backing up is a really bad idea.

sugarsnaps16 wrote:

all my contacts are handwritten down and my photos are backed onto an external drive and i don't care about anything else i have on my phone.

Glad to hear you have a strategy that works for you.