iCloud Keychain not accessible on non-Apple platforms - why?

The lack of version history in iCloud is ridiculous I keep making silly mistakes and losing important work because Apple won t implement ...

sPKöJÃZ€è$ZIICöJÃZICiCloud, Data Lock-in, and Portability/293_Smartphone-and-iPhone.txtiCloud backups not encrypted end-to-end by default - why?
Smartphones are more than just communication devices; they are repositories of personal and professional information. They store enormous amounts of data, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, and various app-specific content. The security and protection of this data is crucial, especially when it comes to backups. However, a worrying issue has emerged in the way some smartphone manufacturers handle iCloud backups: They are not end-to-end encrypted by default. Let's examine in more detail why this is a significant problem and the potential impact it has on user privacy and security.

---

1. The Basics of End-to-End Encryption
2. iCloud Backup Practices
3. Why End-to-End Encryption Matters
4. Implications of Not Using E2EE for Backups
5. How Users Can Enhance Security of Their Backups
6. Conclusion

---

1.) The Basics of End-to-End Encryption

Before discussing the specifics, let's briefly cover what end-to-end encryption (E2EE) means in the context of data protection. E2EE is a cryptographic technique where only the sender and receiver have access to the encrypted data. No third party, not even the service provider, can decrypt this information without the necessary keys. This ensures that sensitive data remains private and secure even if intercepted by unauthorized parties.

---

2.) iCloud Backup Practices

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage service designed for syncing and backing up data from iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. By default, when you enable iCloud backup on your iPhone, all the data stored in the device (including photos, videos, contacts, messages, etc.) can be backed up to iCloud servers automatically.

However, here's where the issue arises: by default, iCloud backups are not encrypted end-to-end. This means that while your data is being sent from your iPhone to Apple's servers in an encrypted form (using SSL/TLS encryption), once it reaches these servers, it is stored unencrypted unless you specifically configure a password or use the new -Encrypt My Backup- feature introduced with iOS 15 to add an extra layer of protection.

---

3.) Why End-to-End Encryption Matters

- Protection Against Unauthorized Access: Without end-to-end encryption, anyone who gains access to iCloud servers (legally or illegally) can potentially view the backup data. This includes Apple employees and contractors, as well as any government agencies with legal access through lawful processes like court orders.


- Privacy Preservation: Data that is not encrypted might reveal sensitive information about a user's habits, contacts, and other personal details. For instance, browsing history or messages could be among the contents of an unencrypted backup, which might otherwise remain private if properly secured.


- Legal Considerations: In many jurisdictions, including those in Europe under GDPR, there are strict regulations around data protection and privacy. End-to-end encryption helps companies like Apple comply with these regulations by ensuring that they cannot access user data unless legally required to do so.

---

4.) Implications of Not Using E2EE for Backups

Users might be lulled into a false sense of security because their iCloud account is protected by strong, industry-standard encryption (using the user's Apple ID password). However, this does not extend to backups. Therefore, if an attacker gains access to your iCloud account (which could happen through phishing attacks or compromised accounts), they would still need to bypass the device level encryption and potentially the network transmission security before gaining access to the actual backup data.

---

5.) How Users Can Enhance Security of Their Backups

Apple users can take proactive steps to enhance their backups' security:

- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of protection beyond just a password, requiring a code sent to another device for authentication when logging in or making changes.

- Use Encrypted iCloud Backups with iOS 15+ Features: As of iOS 15, Apple introduced the option to encrypt backups using your Apple ID password, providing an additional layer of security. This feature is available for all users running iOS 15 and above.

---

6.) Conclusion

While it might be convenient that iCloud backups are not encrypted by default, considering the risks involved, such as potential unauthorized access to sensitive user data, it's clear why end-to-end encryption is essential for robust security practices in the digital age. As users, we should always strive to improve our cybersecurity hygiene and ensure that all possible measures are taken to protect our personal information online.

---

The Autor: GANja / Kenji 2025-01-15