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Apple's "Warrant Canary" Has Died

HughPickens.com writes When Apple published its first Transparency Report on government activity in late 2013, the document contained an important footnote that stated: "Apple has never received an order under Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act. We would expect to challenge such an order if served on us." Now Jeff John Roberts writes at Gigaom that Apple's warrant canary has disappeared. A review of the company's last two Transparency Reports, covering the second half of 2013 and the first six months of 2014, shows that the "canary" language is no longer there suggesting that Apple is now part of FISA or PRISM proceedings.

Warrant canaries are a tool used by companies and publishers to signify to their users that, so far, they have not been subject to a given type of law enforcement request such as a secret subpoena. If the canary disappears, then it is likely the situation has changed — and the company has been subject to such request. This may also give some insight into Apple's recent decision to rework its latest encryption in a way that makes it almost impossible for the company to turn over data from most iPhones or iPads to police.

6 of 236 comments (clear)

  1. Re:There is no "almost impossible" by geekmux · · Score: 4, Funny

    It either can or can't be done. Almost impossible means it still can be done.

    Encryption is ALWAYS breakable by brute force. Question is how long does it take? Seconds? Hours? Months? Years? Decades? This is usually determined by key sizes. The longer the key, the longer it takes to brute force. (generally)

    Decades?

    Wow.

    You must live pretty damn far away from a big city or something.

    Takes me like fifteen minutes to buy a $5 wrench. Tops.

  2. Better title by smittyoneeach · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Apple Warranty Canary Caught Working in a Coal Mine"

    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  3. What do Terrorists use? by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 1, Funny

    Obviously they are not hipster enough for Apple products, ironic beards not withstanding.

    Android products are too "free", and therefore would encourage infidel proclivities.

    They kill all their own intellectuals who could create a new phone, so... they must use WINDOWS!!!!

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  4. Re:There is no "almost impossible" by pushing-robot · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tighten a loose bolt! I can always use a good wrench.
    It's five dollars well spent, in my opinion.

    --
    How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
  5. Re:There is no "almost impossible" by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Funny

    It would flip a coin...

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  6. Re:There is no "almost impossible" by St.Creed · · Score: 3, Funny

    It would flip a coin...

    Maybe it should just ask the cat.

    You could, but there's an even chance it's dead :)

    --
    Therefore, by the (faulty) logic you're using, you're just a cow with a keyboard - osu-neko (2604)