Private Messaging Apps 'Scrambling' to Overhaul Software Following Apple Privacy Changes

[WannaGoMac]

I tried that..twice, ditching Whatsapp, not easy, some friends/Family actually got pissed off by me telling them I wouldn't use it anymore, they refused to install other Apps.
See how engraved Facebook is in most of their lives, they have no idea what's being collected and how it influences them....just look at Brexit/US elections/Facebook-Cambridge Analytica.

As for the Topic, good on ya (Apple) to stick to it.

So just use SMS then, problem solved. If people dont hold a line, the stranglehold facebook has on communication wont ever end.

 

[BvizioN]

a not so subtle way of getting rid of the competing encrypted messaging apps that are all about collecting your data

Fixed.

 

[69Mustang]

Fixed.

Fixed? Did you not understand the topic? This is about encryption not data collection. Fixed... more like made a mess of the original quote.

 

[Xano]

I do prefer iMessage over any of the Facebook group Apps, the latest data leak sums it up.
For sensitive information i prefer Threema, bu far the most solid product i used.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

How about this: "Because most revolutionary and meaningful things in life come from unintended uses, that includes life itself"

Again, as aspirational as your post is, that doesn't make Apple a villain.

 

[DarwinOSX]

I heard Apple is also scrambling to update iMessage...

You "heard" wrong.
[doublepost=1567715975][/doublepost]

a not so subtle way of getting rid of the competing encrypted messaging apps

It has nothing to do with that. All they have to do is stop using their current methods to steal personal information. Nothing stopping them from doing that and still be encrypted. They are butt hurt because they won't be able to steal your personal information and sell it to advertisers.
[doublepost=1567716018][/doublepost]

Unless I'm missing something, these app developers all used an API for something it was not intended for. Why is Apple the villain for locking that API down for its intended use only?

Exactly.
[doublepost=1567716079][/doublepost]

I use Threema with a group of friends who do not have iOS. So no, I can’t “just use iMessage”!

So Threema can do this the right way and still be encrypted. Aren't you glad Apple did this?
[doublepost=1567716147][/doublepost]

If WhatsApp becomes unusable on iOS or if Facebooks pulls the app out of spite that is the end of the iPhone in Europe. But as usual the Americans forget they’re only 5% of the world’s population.

Read the article you are commenting on. They can fix it.

 

[Airforcekid]

Well, any unintended use of an API, no matter what utility it provides to the user, is inherently sketchy. Apple is clearly not providing an adequate replacement API for a reason, and that reason is looking out for its customers and only that.

Repeat it out loud 100 times: “Apple knows best. Apple has my best interests in mind.”

Replace Apple with NSA the privacy conspiracy groups will be in full swing once some of the only open source encrypted means of communication go away and I don't really blame them. I just got my family and friends to switch to Signal not looking forward to going back to FB messenger or traditional text messages.

 

[DarwinOSX]

Thanks Apple for taking something that works and making it unworkable.
There are many reasons for using encrypted messaging systems. I don't understand why people are calling for Apple to have a monopoly on these features on iOS and macOS. This is totally uncalled for.

BTW, some of these, like Signal, are open source, which represents a much more interesting option that proprietary apps (like iMessage). Open sources are much more trustable.

Read the article. Signal purposely did something the wrong way in order to steal your data and sell it to advertisers. They can still have an encrypted product by doing it the right way. Why is this so hard to understand?
I did have to laugh out loud when you said open source products are more "trustable" really? Hilarious.

 

[sir1963nz]

Exactly. Those people use iMessage.

AND they don't have Facebook, Messenger, etc even installed on their iPhone.

 

[Airforcekid]

Read the article. Signal purposely did something the wrong way in order to steal your data and sell it to advertisers. They can still have an encrypted product by doing it the right way. Why is this so hard to understand?
I did have to laugh out loud when you said open source products are more "trustable" really? Hilarious.

Please provide evidence that Signal can even read a message a user sends or know who it goes to. They are at the very front of messaging privacy and created the protocols most other apps use.I trust the Signal team more than Apple with my message data.

EDIT:https://signal.org/blog/sealed-sender/ Does any messaging service besides Signal provide this level of secrecy?

 

[BvizioN]

Fixed? Did you not understand the topic? This is about encryption not data collection. Fixed... more like made a mess of the original quote.

Data collection, decryption, etc! Diferent isnturment - same tune.

 

[nwcs]

Sounds like it's magical on your end so that's great.

-Would be nice to be able to reply an individual comment, specially on group chats.
-When you wish to send multiple pictures and select "all photos", you can't even select more than one.
-Audio quality has nothing to do with iMessage? really? lol.
-Sending multiple multimedia files, pics or videos take much longer than most third party chat apps (haven't found a slower one yet).
-How can I measure if it crashes? my friend, sometimes when watching a photo in full screen mode and tapping back to the chat message window leaves us with no keyboard, let alone freezes.
-Going through all chat shared media has no categorization whatsoever, at least whatsapp provides monthly categorization.
-On the desktop version, unless you toggle videos fullscreen, there is no timeline as to be able to skip/fast forward.

Sounds like you’re focusing on edge cases and individual needs and not an overall marketplace need. In any case, I appreciate the replies even if I do not agree with your assessment.

 

[mike2q]

Signal messenger in particular shouldn't have to make its app less secure to comply with an increasingly draconian ecosystem. Signal is part of a non profit whose entire existence is based on privacy and transparency. Reporters operating in hostel parts of the world and citizens of totalitarian regimes literally trust their life to signal. This is not a shady group but rather groups of programmers working for free to better the world. Apple is the mega corporation stifling free thought and should be called out for it.

 

[2984839]

Data collection, decryption, etc! Diferent isnturment - same tune.

You are spreading blatantly false information.

Apps such as Signal and others are using this API to decrypt messages in the background so that they can be read when you open them. That is not "data collection" by any means.

 

[jntdroid]

iMessage kept me locked into iOS for a long time, but I finally just bit the bullet and changed (I like iPhones, but I've always preferred Android). Being in the U.S., it was bumpy for a few weeks since SMS is the primary means of communication. But I got over the hump and simply treat SMS as it is - unsecure. It's actually been kind of nice being "freed" from some texting and getting back to talking to people about anything important...

 

[mudflap]

Considering the recent exploits disclosed by Google that left iOS devices vulnerable to deep hacks by passive web sites for years perhaps Apple should be focusing their resources on security and hardening iOS against attacks rather than the more marketing-friendly focus on "privacy", because without security you have no privacy either.

So far all those exploits were theoretical, with no evidence they were actually executed. Apple isn't perfect of course but when it comes to privacy and security they're still miles ahead of everyone else.

 

[2984839]

So far all those exploits were theoretical, with no evidence they were actually executed. Apple isn't perfect of course but when it comes to privacy and security they're still miles ahead of everyone else.

Those attacks were actually happening in the wild: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2019/09/massive_iphone_.html

 

[69Mustang]

Data collection, decryption, etc! Diferent isnturment - same tune.

Ha! Is that like eating a hamburger and driving a car are the same tune?

 

[ksnell]

Or, now hear me out... Or you can just use iMessage...

Just my two cents

Simple. It is less secure than say, Signal. iMessages are encrypted and stored in the cloud, and Apple holds the keys.

 

[MauiPa]

a not so subtle way of getting rid of the competing encrypted messaging apps

Except Apple is working with the developers, dah
[doublepost=1567718006][/doublepost]

How about this: "Because most revolutionary and meaningful things in life come from unintended uses, that includes life itself"

hmmm, you supposedly quote someone smart, but failed to reference the person you quoted.

 

[Stromos]

These apps will survive. They will just have to decrypt messages when the app loads instead of in the background, mis-using APIs that were intended for other purposes.

I mean is it really misuse? The other companies using it for tracking were misuse but I like being able to see previews of my Signal messages with Android people. With the API closing now Apple Watch/iPhone will just show new message and I have to open the app to see what it says. Apple needs an API to continue to allow this. They didn't make the change to stop encrypted messengers they did it to stop apps using it to collect data.

 

[MauiPa]

Considering the recent exploits disclosed by Google that left iOS devices vulnerable to deep hacks by passive web sites for years perhaps Apple should be focusing their resources on security and hardening iOS against attacks rather than the more marketing-friendly focus on "privacy", because without security you have no privacy either.

LOL. You forgot to mention that the hacks also affected Google and windows os's.. and you are complaining about Apple doing this and telling them that they should do this. confusing, yah?

 

[BWhaler]

This is a hit piece from Facebook using their buddies at The Information. Spreading FUD that it will weaken security and privacy.

Keep going Apple. The more Facebook complains, the more certain you can be that you’re doing the right thing for your customers and for society,

 

[jonblatho]

OMG! That makes so much sense. LOL! How did I not see it? But can I just repeat it 5 or 6 times? I mean, 100 seems a bit cultish... kinda Scientology-liike.

I asked Tim Cook and he will settle for 10.

 

[Stromos]

Umm, so you can't decrypt in the background, meaning it'll be a bit slow when it starts up. Or have use other libraries that allow it to run decryption in the background. How is that less privacy?

And yes, I know, some people get hundreds or thousands of messages between checking apps. And it will be rather slow for them.

How about it means if you use Signal or any other encrypted app your Apple Watch is now useless? You have to take out your phone and open the app to view the messages. Apple watch will just say new message and that's it.