What about allowing you to "link" with other peoples "appliances". i.e. family and friends. This way they can back up your information too (encrypted of course,

What about allowing you to "link" with other peoples "appliances". i.e. family and friends. This way they can back up your information too (encrypted of course, so they can't actually read it). And you only link to people you trust, which should mitigate some of the risk. It becomes a case of who do you trust more, your family and friends - or a company somewhere. Besides, your mostly only storing information you want shared with family and friends anyway - otherwise why are you putting your info on this device in the first place? edit: if I wasn't clear, the backup would be an automated thing. Only backing up information on peoples devices who are allowed to see it anyway.