iCloud Photos are now encrypted?

[Siri's Daddy]

According to Apple, photos are now encrypted on the server.

Is that true?

If so, what are the loose links in the chain?

How can photos be accessed and what are the vulnerabilities.

It's not my "photos" that I need to keep secure but I also photograph documents that DO need to be kept secure.

Last I heard was that Apple gave in to the FBI so this is a surprise that they are secure.

iCloud data security overview - Apple Support

iCloud uses strong security methods, employs strict policies to protect your information, and leads the industry in using privacy-preserving security technologies like end-to-end encryption for your data.

support.apple.com

 

[caparsons]

Apple differentiates between encrypted at rest and end to end encrypted. In the former case, Apple possesses decryption keys and so can comply with government orders. In the latter case, keys are generating on your device and not provided to Apple, thus preventing Apple from decrypting material when served with a government order.

 

[Siri's Daddy]

Apple differentiates between encrypted at rest and end to end encrypted. In the former case, Apple possesses decryption keys and so can comply with government orders. In the latter case, keys are generating on your device and not provided to Apple, thus preventing Apple from decrypting material when served with a government order.

So, are photos at rest encrypted without Apple having the ability to decrypt for the government?

 

[caparsons]

So, are photos at rest encrypted without Apple having the ability to decrypt for the government?

Photos which are stored on iCloud are encrypted so that, if Apple’s server infrastructure(s) were breached, the data would be encrypted and thus unusable to an attacker. However, Apple can decrypt photos, and could do so (as an example) in the course of responding to a lawful government request.

 

[Siri's Daddy]

I guess your best bet is to keep the iPhone pictures on your encrypted mac at home.

Just ask Hunter Biden.