Apple confirms governments using push notifications to surveil users (macrumors.com)

Article summary

Apple has confirmed that governments are using push notifications to surveil users, with foreign officials demanding data from tech giants to track smartphones. The company stated that it was previously prohibited from sharing this information, but is now updating its transparency reporting to detail these kinds of requests. The surveillance method involves tracking metadata related to push notifications, which can be used to tie anonymous users of messaging apps to specific Apple or Google accounts. Apple advises developers to not include sensitive data in notifications and to encrypt any data before adding it to a notification payload.

Main themes

• government surveillance
• push notification tracking
• privacy concerns
• tech giant transparency
• alternative solutions
• metadata security

What commenters say

• Disabling push notifications may not completely prevent tracking, as apps may still send attempts at notifications through Apple servers.
• Some users are exploring alternative solutions, such as running their own push servers or using Android forks without Google Play Services.
• The ability of governments to demand data from tech giants for surveillance purposes raises concerns about privacy and security.
• There is frustration about the lack of transparency and the difficulty in accessing the full statement from Apple, with some questioning the restrictions on sharing information.
• The use of metadata for surveillance is a concern, as it can provide insight into users' app usage and potentially compromise their anonymity.
• Some argue that the government's ability to force companies to keep secrets from the public is a threat to democracy and individual freedom.