Apple Denies Report Claiming Chinese Spies Planted Microchips in iCloud Servers

[Edsel]

umm... this is a very old problem for every network/platform manufacturer. Either the design/manufacturing process has been compromised or, a design defect is identified. Every networked device is a security problem. Heck, your in-house IT team could be staring at you eating at your desk or listening to your conversations.

Stealing resources/data/information has been going on for millennia.

 

[jona2125]

I am a bit lost. Where did they deny and mislead in the past? I am assuming with the degrading batteries scenario? They came out and said they implemented throttling so that degraded batteries wouldn't shut off. Should they have been more up front? Yes. Would I consider that denying and misleading? No. In response to your second point, my post answered the question. Why would they tell the direct truth? Because their entire reputation is at stake. Apple is known for security and privacy. They wouldn't lie about this and put the entire company in question.

My thoughts are that their statements of "truth" doesn't mean it's the truth for exactly what you said: their reputation relies on the consistency of not failing on this. If they admit there was an issue, they would lose face for not being up front about it the first time they had the chance when they cut Super Micro off for malware issues.

And no I wasn't referring to the battery issue though that one is a bit similar but more politically played in how they responded. I was talking about 'touch disease' that they denied so strongly didn't exist but it was found in filed documents they did in fact know about it and cared not to address it.

 

[magicschoolbus]

This is an act of war.

 

[thadoggfather]

Omg, this thread is all over the place.

View attachment 792026

This is horrifyingly beautiful

Pol threads need more of this

My hat goes off out of Total and utter respect for macrumors

In the year 2018 macrumors is the place to go for pol discourse knowing there’s no censorship. As long as you don’t violate the clear bipartisan rules you’re gravy.

Not reddit not twitter not Facebook. Macrumors.

 

[Rigby]

The WaPo has this in their article on the Bloomberg story:

"One U.S. official told The Washington Post on Thursday morning that the thrust of Bloomberg Businessweek’s reporting was accurate. This person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters not approved for public release."

So that could potentially be independent confirmation of the overall story, but Bloomberg may have gotten some details wrong.

 

[ericwn]

Apple should use their Trillion dollars and set up shop in another country or just buy or create their own. They need to be less dependent on Chinese manufacturing because this is only going to get worse.

This which Apple denies is going on is supposed to get worse?

 

[ravenstar]

OK, that's a fair point.

Mind you, Bloomberg do seem to be very sure of this.

I'm not American, but could it be that they've been asked to say nothing by the CIA/FBI on this as 'investigations are ongoing'?

Not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, nor am I wanting to make out that Apple (or any of the other companies) are liars, I'm just musing over what could've happened.

Yes, Bloomberg's certainty is interesting. But so is Apple's. Apple has a lot to lose if it gets out that they're misrepresenting the situation since they're building a brand based on consumer trust (not to mention how the SEC might view their statements). They've gone beyond saying nothing and issued a strong denial. It is, of course, possible that neither corporation is lying, but that some of the sources or their sources are purposely distorting the facts.

 

[drewyboy]

So Apple just made a materially false statement. With no wiggle room. Risking a billion dollar sec fine. Sure.

Who is the SEC? Answer, the government.

What sources are saying Apple was compromised? Answer, the government.

If you don’t think that the government can gag Apple based on national security, you must not realize how far reaching their power actually is.

Now, I’m not saying Apple was compromised, I’m just trying to point out your misunderstanding of the power the government can wield if it so chooses to.

 

[ravenstar]

The WaPo has this in their article on the Bloomberg story:

"One U.S. official told The Washington Post on Thursday morning that the thrust of Bloomberg Businessweek’s reporting was accurate. This person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss matters not approved for public release."

So that could potentially be independent confirmation of the overall story, but Bloomberg may have gotten some details wrong.

It's sad to say this, but without knowing who the official is, I'd take their statement with a grain of salt. So many untruths spew out of the current administration on a daily basis that if an unnamed official were to say the sun rises in the east it shouldn't be believed without independent confirmation.

 

[KPandian1]

One reason that major tech companies should wean their chip production out of mainland China. Not that it is a sure thing that production elsewhere can't be sabotaged in even USA or Germany, but the level of control in China is poor, concentrating on getting the needed manpower into the factories.

 

[macguru212]

If some other much smaller and less powerful country did this we'd be at war.

 

[NT1440]

This is an act of war.

Then I guess the NSA and America have been at war for decades.

If this is true it’s espionage, not something worth killing millions in WWIII (which a war with China would result in) over.

I would hope some of you would actually think through the consequences of what this bellicose militant language would result in if acted upon.

It’s worth going to war to preserve the dignity of the massive tax cheats we worship as the largest corporations on earth? Please.

 

[grad]

People all over the world should be able to choose freely whether they want to be spied by China government as well or just by USA/NSA.

 

[shplock]

This is why the Russia, Russia, Russia is so disingenuous - everyone is hacking everything they can. We (the West) are hacking shedloads too. Why does this surprise anyone. Oh, sorry, was unable to trigger internet outrage machine with the word Trump...

4 years ago I heard how all hacking was being attributed to China / NK, but now the hour of hate is targeted at Russia - who will it be next? 1984 is real...

Probably because Russia is as bad as everyone else when it comes to hacking. They are not innocent of all wrong doing. I just hope that Apple are telling there truth.

 

[Moonlight]

Lol but but .... what about freedom of the press, apple? What about the term fake news, being fake news, and the president’s “siege” against the press? What about the news app propping up “important journalism”?

Don’t like it when it’s directed at you huh?

I’m afraid this will just be the start

I said when batterygate happened it’s just the tip of the iceberg for slimy Tim Cook pitching the same PR pitch aimlessly steering his leaky 1 trillion dollar ship

You reap what you sow

And apple is in bed with China. They are beginning to rub people the wrong way, with reality distortion fields way down and prices way up

“I wouldn’t worry or get hung up on servers being located in China” Tim tells the vice reporter. Apparently people ARE hung up on it

The apple ceo has a China First mantra.

That is such a simplistic view that doesn't mean anything in reality.

 

[shplock]

Lol but but .... what about freedom of the press, apple? What about the term fake news, being fake news, and the president’s “siege” against the press? What about the news app propping up “important journalism”?

Don’t like it when it’s directed at you huh?

I’m afraid this will just be the start

I said when batterygate happened it’s just the tip of the iceberg for slimy Tim Cook pitching the same PR pitch aimlessly steering his leaky 1 trillion dollar ship

You reap what you sow

And apple is in bed with China. They are beginning to rub people the wrong way, with reality distortion fields way down and prices way up

“I wouldn’t worry or get hung up on servers being located in China” Tim tells the vice reporter. Apparently people ARE hung up on it

The apple ceo has a China First mantra.

If you hate Apple so much do not come to a pro Apple site. Go somewhere else to have your daily rant.
Last time I looked Apple were about as pro security as it comes.

 

[DonutHands]

Well, Apple denies it, appears that Amazon denies this as well. Are any of the reportedly affected companies in the story actually confirming this particular hack occurred?

 

[shplock]

The ceo of apple is a pussyhat wearing resistance fighter in bed with China

Gotta love when the press goes after him

It’s very sweet and poetic

View attachment 792021

What's your point? Or is this simply a rant because you are perhaps jealous? I say if you do not like it then that is your opinion but please try to be respectful. I am no fan of Tim Cook or Trump but I am at least respectful of the both of them.
Tim Cook seems to be more measured and intellectual than most people in power these days.
If you keep up with this narrative of yours then you will only find yourself increasingly ignored and isolated in this world.

 

[kmichalec]

To quote Stephen King's recent tweet regarding the Kavanaugh investigation:

"Ask yourself, who has more motivation for lying?"

The newspaper company looking to sell a few more copies, or the Trillion $ companies who would instantly take a bath on their sales/revenues if everyone was suddenly afraid to do business with them, because they thought their systems were compromised and their information in jeopardy?

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

Do yourself a favor. Do not rely on others.

Read the Bloomberg Report:
"The Big Hack: How China Used a Tiny Chip to Infiltrate U.S. Companies"

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/feat...ny-chip-to-infiltrate-america-s-top-companies

And then, independently, draw your own conclusions.

My Opinion: These companies have made the classical Faustian Bargain:

“You can have less supply than you want and guarantee it’s secure, or you can have the supply you need, but there will be risk. Every organization has accepted the second proposition.”
​

And, then, conveniently denied it. Or, being silent.

 

[lulumink]

********, even if it was real, Apple would NEVER admit it! Their stock would instantaneously evaporate 20 billion.

 

[kironin]

"... in addition to the three Apple insiders, the report says four of six U.S. officials confirmed that Apple was a victim. "

I'd respect Apple more if they just came clean about this. Sounds like they are working too hard to deny the problem.

Cook seems to take a Pollyanna principle view on China in his interviews.

 

[shplock]

Why do you take my criticism of apple and a ceo so personally? Why is that your first reaction? Am I going after a local mums and pops shop?

Liberals who defend trillion dollar valuation tech companies like they’re a precious startup, to no end disgust me. Even when they tow the line with China

“What’s wrong with China now?!?!” Baseless russiagate screechers now try to argue. Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic!

So your point is then that we in the west should stand up to China by nuking them and getting rid of the whole lot of them?
Sometimes with some countries you need quiet behind the scenes diplomacy not world war 3.
If you calm down a moment you might learn that China does not tolerate being bullied and does not bow down to people with your apparent viewpoint. I am not saying that China is a good country or a bad country, merely that they do not like being told what to do. So you therefore need clever diplomacy, not cowboy diplomacy.

 

[thadoggfather]

What's your point? Or is this simply a rant because you are perhaps jealous? I say if you do not like it then that is your opinion but please try to be respectful. I am no fan of Tim Cook or Trump but I am at least respectful of the both of them.
Tim Cook seems to be more measured and intellectual than most people in power these days.
If you keep up with this narrative of yours then you will only find yourself increasingly ignored and isolated in this world.

Yes I’m jealous of Tim Cook. Nailed it.

Lol
[doublepost=1538672906][/doublepost]

If you hate Apple so much do not come to a pro Apple site. Go somewhere else to have your daily rant.
Last time I looked Apple were about as pro security as it comes.

I’ll do what I want thanks for taking my criticism of a mega Corp so personal tho.

The products can be great especially compared to slim competition and the ceo can still be crap.

 

[shplock]

Russiagate screechers have no platform to stand on saying China isn’t a threat

Just like people saying the term fake news is fake news, are in a pickle as well


You don’t see the hypocrisy because liberals never acknowledge holes in their logic or a complete lack of logic all together. The echo chambers thicken and the introspection diminishes to none.

I’ll bet you attribute the 2018 booming economy to Obama t’ing it up for his beloved friend Trump, and any unsuccessful things as a result of trump too. Selectively pick and choose what’s good and what’s not on behalf of your party and previously failed podium politicians.

Keep up the good
Work!

Please try to keep your ranting to the point and not just trying to state that anyone who has a political viewpoint other than yours is wrong. You are entitled to your viewpoint but then so are we. I do not see horns coming out of Tim's head nor do I see China itching to start world war 3. I do however see that in my opinion ALL politicians are as bad or as good as each other. Whomever you admire in life is no angel either and is probably corrupt, selfish, nasty and a whole other qualities. The same as whomever I admire would no doubt be as bad too.
So yes in that regards Tim is no angel nor is China, though try to keep it in context as I have at least tried to do otherwise you might come across as bitter, twisted and jealous.
[doublepost=1538673153][/doublepost]

Have to say I do believe Apple in this instance. Seems as though Bloomberg was trying to write a very popular article and didn't want the facts to get in the way of that.

Bloomberg have form for this type of reporting. Just look at how they report on Tesla.