DEA complains that Apple CHAT "impossible to intercept."

[Atman]

Do you hate me now?

------

Apple's iMessage encryption trips up feds' surveillance

Internal document from the Drug Enforcement Administration complains that messages sent with Apple's encrypted chat service are "impossible to intercept," even with a warrant.

Encryption used in Apple's iMessage chat service has stymied attempts by federal drug enforcement agents to eavesdrop on suspects' conversations, an internal government document reveals.

An internal Drug Enforcement Administration document seen by CNET discusses a February 2013 criminal investigation and warns that because of the use of encryption, "it is impossible to intercept iMessages between two Apple devices" even with a court order approved by a federal judge.

The DEA's warning, marked "law enforcement sensitive," is the most detailed example to date of the technological obstacles -- FBI director Robert Mueller has called it the "Going Dark" problem -- that police face when attempting to conduct court-authorized surveillance on non-traditional forms of communication.



Excerpt from an iMessage "Intelligence Note" prepared by the Drug Enforcement Administration and obtained by CNET. Click for larger image. (Credit: DEA)

When Apple's iMessage was announced in mid-2011, Cupertino said it would use "secure end-to-end encryption." It quickly became the most popular encrypted chat program in history: Apple CEO Tim Cook said last fall that 300 billion messages have been sent so far, which are transmitted through the Internet rather than as more costly SMS messages carried by wireless providers.

<snip>

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57577887-38/apples-imessage-encryption-trips-up-feds-surveillance/

[Canuckistanian]

1. Good to know

Thanks for telling us, DEA.

[Atman]

2. That was my first thought, then...

At first, I thought, wait a minute...tell everyone their messages are impossible to read, then go ahead and read them. But, as the article states, they didn't "tell" anyone. CNET got a hold of their supposedly confidential memo. Interesting. I still don't trust ANYBODY.

[riqster]

3. If it is secure for now, it won't remain so forever.

The NSA tends to work such things out.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Maybe, maybe not

More likely Apple will be pressed to change the encryption so it can be more readily broken or provide a Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act style back door.

[Oilwellian]

4. Oops

I'm "Going Dark." LOL

[tridim]

5. So feel free to chat about drugs with all your drug buddies!

We, the oh-so trustworthy DEA, swear to the prison industrial complex that we won't peek!

[Atman]

6. LOL!

My thoughts exactly.

[krispos42]

8. Good.

The government pushed privacy with their warrantless illegal wiretaps and war on terror bullshit. Now privacy pushes back.


Suck on it.

[L0oniX]

9. That news should help boost sales. Crack and meth dealers are happy. n/t

[bemildred]

10. That's why it's encrypted, so they can't read it. Duh. nt

[Atman]

11. Uhm...thanks. I think.

That sure added a lot to the discussion!

[bemildred]

12. OK, if you want it really encrypted, so nobody can read it unless you say so,

you need to do it yourself, off-line, with an adequate size encryption key.

I'm just pointing out that expecting to monitor encrypted stuff is kind of stupid, you are assuming the game must be rigged in your favor.

[Atman]

13. I'm making no such assumptions.

My son actually writes these encryption keys for a developer I'll leave nameless. I'm not "expecting" anything, not where the NSA is concerned. In fact, all I "expect" is that they can capture anything I post or read. There is some element of Darwinism to this story...if meth dealers and crack heads are using their cell phones to set up deals, perhaps they shouldn't be surprised when they get busted.

My son's most recent encryption scheme is pretty brilliant, though. But no way I can use it on my phone. If the NSA wants to read the grocery list transcripts sent from my wife, or the occasional naughty messages when we're apart, go for it. I'm happy to know that at least my iPhone appears to make it a little more difficult for them.

[bemildred]

14. I'm talking about the DEA, not you.

That's what the headline says, "DEA" not "Atman".

[cprise]

15. Assume that iMessage is going down the same road

...as Skype (accommodation with government surveillance).

This is a good guide to encrypted instant messaging:
https://ssd.eff.org/tech/im