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I keep changing my mind on this. On the one hand I already operate on the assumption that uploading data to a cloud service renders that data non-private, or at

I keep changing my mind on this. On the one hand I already operate on the assumption that uploading data to a cloud service renders that data non-private, or at least in great risk of becoming non-private in the future. This simply makes my operating assumption explicit. Also this particular implementation and its stated goals aren’t egregious. But then there’s the slippery slope we’ve all been discussing — and the gradual precedents set for it, this being a nail in the coffin. But I sympathize with Apple for making transparent what I assume happens behind closed doors anyway. My optimistic side thinks maybe this is a sign that extensions of this project will also be made explicit. Maybe this is the only way for them to take this fight if they’re being pressured. In any case now is the time to speak out. If they extend it to texts and other documents I’m out - even as it stands I’m thinking of alternatives. But the fact we’re all discussing it now is at least a point of hope.

naasking 5y ago
> But I sympathize with Apple for making transparent what I assume happens behind closed doors anyway. Using your devices' CPU and battery seems more egregious than doing it on their servers. If they want to help law enforcement, then they should pay for it. Of course they want to help law enforcement by forcing other people to pay the costs. Imagine if Ford came out with a cannabis sensor in their cars that automatically called the cops on you if it detected cannabis inside the car. The sensor is allegedly only active when you're renting a Ford vehicle, not if you purchase it outright. Not a perfect analogy, but how comfortable would you find this situation?
- Spivak 5y ago
  Let's do a more realistic example. Ford introduces a "driver safety" mechanism where the car requires a clean breathalyzer reading in order to start. If it fails it pops up a message that reminds you that drunk driving is illegal but doesn't actually stop you from starting the engine. It then sends Ford the results in an encrypted payload along with 1/30th of the decryption key. After 30 reports someone at Ford opens the payloads, looks at the results and, decides whether to contact the police based on how damning the evidence is. Because all the tests are performed locally you're never giving up any of your privacy unless you actually are driving drunk or are the 1/billion and get 30 false positives. I feel like this is a much stronger than the "if you have nothing to hide" meme because local testing like this lets you can have everything to hide while still revealing specific bad behavior. Like if the TSA had scanners that somehow could only reveal banned items and nothing else I’m not sure I would even consider it a privacy violation.
  - naasking 5y ago
    That's not a realistic analogy because driving is a privilege you must earn, not a human right.

naasking 5y ago

> But I sympathize with Apple for making transparent what I assume happens behind closed doors anyway. Using your devices' CPU and battery seems more egregious than doing it on their servers. If they want to help law enforcement, then they should pay for it. Of course they want to help law enforcement by forcing other people to pay the costs. Imagine if Ford came out with a cannabis sensor in their cars that automatically called the cops on you if it detected cannabis inside the car. The sensor is allegedly only active when you're renting a Ford vehicle, not if you purchase it outright. Not a perfect analogy, but how comfortable would you find this situation?

Spivak 5y ago
Let's do a more realistic example. Ford introduces a "driver safety" mechanism where the car requires a clean breathalyzer reading in order to start. If it fails it pops up a message that reminds you that drunk driving is illegal but doesn't actually stop you from starting the engine. It then sends Ford the results in an encrypted payload along with 1/30th of the decryption key. After 30 reports someone at Ford opens the payloads, looks at the results and, decides whether to contact the police based on how damning the evidence is. Because all the tests are performed locally you're never giving up any of your privacy unless you actually are driving drunk or are the 1/billion and get 30 false positives. I feel like this is a much stronger than the "if you have nothing to hide" meme because local testing like this lets you can have everything to hide while still revealing specific bad behavior. Like if the TSA had scanners that somehow could only reveal banned items and nothing else I’m not sure I would even consider it a privacy violation.
- naasking 5y ago
  That's not a realistic analogy because driving is a privilege you must earn, not a human right.