S.T.O.P. Welcomes Apple iCloud Privacy Updates As ‘Essential & Overdue’

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release   S.T.O.P. Welcomes Apple iCloud Privacy Updates As ‘Essential & Overdue’ (New York, NY 12/7/22) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, welcomed Apple’s announcement of improved privacy protections for Apple’s iCloud as “essential and overdue.” The tech giant announced this afternoon that it would expand encryption for its iCloud storage platform and improve the security of iMessage communications and Apple account logins. However, the group cautioned that Apple’s choice to make most changes “opt-in” would leave the vast majority of users vulnerable. SEE: Apple - Apple advances user security with powerful new data protections https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/12/apple-advances-user-security-with-powerful-new-data-protections/ Apple - Advanced Data Protection for iCloud https://support.apple.com/guide/security/advanced-data-protection-for-icloud-sec973254c5f/web “It’s good to see Apple’s privacy protections catching up with its sales pitch, but making these protections opt-in will leave most users vulnerable,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “For years, Apple has touted its privacy record while leaving its users vulnerable, particularly to police surveillance. Much of the data users store on iCloud is just a court order away from becoming a policing tool. With these changes, Apple will keep up with the privacy best practices that other companies have followed for years. But it’s disappointing that users have to opt-in to many of these new protections, leaving the vast majority at risk.” Last year, the civil rights group criticized Apple for its plans to install software to surveil users’ iPhones and iPads for illegal content. Apple subsequently abandoned the planned operating system update. SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Welcomes Apple’s Pause Of neuralMatch, Demands End To iPhone Surveillance Plans https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2021/9/3/stop-welcomes-apples-pause-of-neuralmatch-demands-end-to-iphone-surveillance-plans S.T.O.P. also previously called on Apple to cease the sale of AirTag tracking devices after warning about their potential for abuse by stalkers. Apple ignored the warnings, and after numerous incidents of stalking, the company now faces a nationwide, class action lawsuit. SEE: The New York Times - Two Women Sue Apple Over AirTag Stalking https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/06/business/apple-airtag-lawsuit.html The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. -- END -- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.