HT5527: iCloud: Complimentary storage upgrades for former MobileMe members expired on September 30, 2013

Learn about iCloud: Complimentary storage upgrades for former MobileMe members expired on September 30, 2013
Bob7635
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: iCloud Privacy-NSA Surveillance

I am trying to decide if I want iCloud services in light of the NSA Surveillance of American citizens.  What information does Apple give to NSA that I have stored on iCloud?

Posted on Aug 2, 2013 6:04 AM

by snozdop,Solvedanswer
snozdop snozdop
Level 5 (5,815 points)
A:

Read: http://mashable.com/2013/06/17/apple-statement-nsa/

 

However, the only way to 100% guarantee that your data is not being shared or accessed somehow, is to store it on your own hardware, that is never connected to the Internet. No externally stored data, by any commercial company can ever be 100% safe. It's all about who you trust.

Posted on Aug 2, 2013 8:56 AM

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Bob7635

Q: iCloud Privacy-NSA Surveillance

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  • by mende1,

    mende1 mende1 Aug 2, 2013 6:07 AM in response to Bob7635
    Level 10 (93,329 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 2, 2013 6:07 AM in response to Bob7635

    Welcome to Apple Support Communities

     

    You are not the only one who comes here worried about the NSA.

     

    We are users like you, and I'm sure that if Apple is in these forums they wouldn't give you that information, but who knows. We don't know if our iCloud information is being stolen by the NSA, but one thing you can do to avoid this is to use HTTPS in all available websites, so your data is encrypted and can't be stolen. For example, these forums and the iCloud website use HTTPS

  • by Bob7635,

    Bob7635 Bob7635 Aug 2, 2013 8:52 AM in response to mende1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 2, 2013 8:52 AM in response to mende1

    Thanks mende1,

     

    Yes, I understand using HTTPS encrypts the data between my PC and iCloud and this is good.  From what I've read, Apple is being required to give NSA certain information.  If this is true, is Apple being required to share with NSA what I store on iCloud. 

     

    We need an answer to this, because it cast doubts on using iCloud to store my emails, contacts, calendars, reminders, photos, etc.

  • by snozdop,Solvedanswer

    snozdop snozdop Aug 2, 2013 8:56 AM in response to Bob7635
    Level 5 (5,815 points)
    Aug 2, 2013 8:56 AM in response to Bob7635

    Read: http://mashable.com/2013/06/17/apple-statement-nsa/

     

    However, the only way to 100% guarantee that your data is not being shared or accessed somehow, is to store it on your own hardware, that is never connected to the Internet. No externally stored data, by any commercial company can ever be 100% safe. It's all about who you trust.

  • by Bob7635,

    Bob7635 Bob7635 Aug 2, 2013 11:43 AM in response to snozdop
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 2, 2013 11:43 AM in response to snozdop

    snozdop,

     

    Thanks for the link, and your suggestion about taking the data offline.  You hit it on the head when you said, "It's all about who you trust."  And this is the big question with NSA involvement, especially with its secrecy restrictions on companies like Apple and what data they are authorized to share they have given NSA.  Until more comes to light about what Apple is required to provide NSA, I'll take my data offline.

     

    Here's that link to Apple's Commitment to Customer Privacy:

    https://www.apple.com/apples-commitment-to-customer-privacy/

     

    I'm not sure this policy tells the full story.

  • by Ziatron,

    Ziatron Ziatron Aug 3, 2013 8:38 AM in response to Bob7635
    Level 4 (3,931 points)
    Apple Watch
    Aug 3, 2013 8:38 AM in response to Bob7635

    No form of electronic communication is secure, especially now.

     

    When governments have secret information it is hand-carried.

     

    For any confidential or private matters I recommend the post office.

     

    Until more comes to light about what Apple is required to provide NSA, I'll take my data offline.

     

    Governments (not just the USA) can get at these files without Apple's permission or knowledge.  They can be intercepted at multiple points.