Apple Says it Syncs Call Logs on iCloud As a 'Convenience to Customers' Amid Security Concerns

[stylinexpat]

I just went to my call logs records and double checked something.. In the past the Line calls, Whatsapp calls did not used to show up in the call logs history. In fact the call logs history was even shorter. Now it is longer and stores call logs from Line and Whatsapp as well. The ones not being stored at the moment for the time being are the ones from WeChat. So if you do not want those stored in the future you may want to skip the next few updates because it maybe in one of those updates and they most likely will not tell you about it.

 

[C DM]

I just went to my call logs records and double checked something.. In the past the Line calls, Whatsapp calls did not used to show up in the call logs history. In fact the call logs history was even shorter. Now it is longer and stores call logs from Line and Whatsapp as well. The ones not being stored at the moment for the time being are the ones from WeChat. So if you do not want those stored in the future you may want to skip the next few updates because it maybe in one of those updates and they most likely will not tell you about it.

It's basically CallKit integration that has been introduced in iOS 10.

 

[Rockerchick]

I disagree. You can disable the syncing of other data (such as Safari browsing history and bookmarks) selectively in the iCloud Drive settings. Why not have the same option for the call history without having to disable everything?

Also, keep in mind that, while maybe your personal calls are not very interesting, there are people whose call histories may be genuinely sensitive, such as lawyers, journalists, policital activists etc. You can't just dismiss this all as paranoia.

The simple fix it to just delete the call history from the device of origination. Then the call log will not be stored in iCloud. Where is the user responsibility for their safety and security here? The problem is that for the users that are not savvy (which would be most) they would have no idea where to go in the setting to turn these features off and on. So when it comes to making sure that this data is backed up and saved for purposes of restoring a phone this just makes sense. I cannot tell you how many people I talk to who don't back up to iCloud and are pissed when they can't retrieve old numbers and texts. This is the right way to go about it. Just delete your call logs.

 

[C DM]

The simple fix it to just delete the call history from the device of origination. Then the call log will not be stored in iCloud. Where is the user responsibility for their safety and security here? The problem is that for the users that are not savvy (which would be most) they would have no idea where to go in the setting to turn these features off and on. So when it comes to making sure that this data is backed up and saved for purposes of restoring a phone this just makes sense. I cannot tell you how many people I talk to who don't back up to iCloud and are pissed when they can't retrieve old numbers and texts. This is the right way to go about it. Just delete your call logs.

That is a way to go about it, more of a workaround way. Given that these controls exist for other data like contacts or notes or reminders it seems like it would be fairly straightforward and rational to expect the same control to be there for calls.

 

[Rigby]

The simple fix it to just delete the call history from the device of origination. Then the call log will not be stored in iCloud.

This seems akin to cutting off the nose to spite the face. The call history is a very useful feature, after all.

Besides, there is no guarantee that deleting the history on your phone will delete all copies on Apple's servers. To my knowledge they haven't disclosed their data retention policy.

Where is the user responsibility for their safety and security here?

That's precisely why I would like Apple to give me the option to decide for myself if I want my call history uploaded to their servers or just keep it locally on my phone, where it's under my control. This option exists for most of the other personal data, after all.

The problem is that for the users that are not savvy (which would be most) they would have no idea where to go in the setting to turn these features off and on. So when it comes to making sure that this data is backed up and saved for purposes of restoring a phone this just makes sense. I cannot tell you how many people I talk to who don't back up to iCloud and are pissed when they can't retrieve old numbers and texts.

Once again: The syncing of the call history discussed in this thread has nothing whatsoever to do with cloud backups. It's an additional thing that happens whether you use iCloud Backup or not.

As far as backups are concerned, you have the option of backing up to your own computer using iTunes. This is far more secure as long as you use encrypted backups, not to mention that restoring from a local backup is much faster.

 

[stylinexpat]

This seems akin to cutting off the nose to spite the face. The call history is a very useful feature, after all.

Besides, there is no guarantee that deleting the history on your phone will delete all copies on Apple's servers. To my knowledge they haven't disclosed their data retention policy.
That's precisely why I would like Apple to give me the option to decide for myself if I want my call history uploaded to their servers or just keep it locally on my phone, where it's under my control. This option exists for most of the other personal data, after all.
Once again: The syncing of the call history discussed in this thread has nothing whatsoever to do with cloud backups. It's an additional thing that happens whether you use iCloud Backup or not.

As far as backups are concerned, you have the option of backing up to your own computer using iTunes. This is far more secure as long as you use encrypted backups, not to mention that restoring from a local backup is much faster.

I agree ☝️
There is an option to sync notes and contacts to back up so why is there no option for call logs ? Why is the call logs being backed up a hidden feature? Before update they never said anything about new IOS now backing up call logs from other apps into iPhone call logs together and then backing them up to iCloud server. Calls from other apps do not need to be included into iPhone call logs.

 

[C DM]

I agree ☝️
There is an option to sync notes and contacts to back up so why is there no option for call logs ? Why is the call logs being backed up a hidden feature? Before update they never said anything about new IOS now backing up call logs from other apps into iPhone call logs together and then backing them up to iCloud server. Calls from other apps do not need to be included into iPhone call logs.

Calls from other apps are basically up to the developers of those apps as far as them making use of what CallKit provides.

 

[stylinexpat]

Calls from other apps are basically up to the developers of those apps as far as them making use of what CallKit provides.

Thanks for the info.. I did not know that. Quite possible since WeChat calls do not show up in call log. WhatsApp and Line calls do show up though

 

[SPUY767]

Because they have no reason to. Google loses money on every segment of their business EXCEPT paid search. Google has to mine your data to effectively sell ads. Apple doesn't need to mine your data because they don't derive value from it. My grandfather once said to me, "If you're using something, and you're not paying for it, you aren't the consumer, you're the product." I forget exactly what I was using that he was referring to, but that phrase has never been more poignant than with Google.

 

[stylinexpat]

Because they have no reason to. Google loses money on every segment of their business EXCEPT paid search. Google has to mine your data to effectively sell ads. Apple doesn't need to mine your data because they don't derive value from it. My grandfather once said to me, "If you're using something, and you're not paying for it, you aren't the consumer, you're the product." I forget exactly what I was using that he was referring to, but that phrase has never been more poignant than with Google.

Of course we have paid for it. We have paid for a smartphone with the software built into to it to work for us but not to spy on us.