Apple Secretly Stores Your iPhone Call History, Russian Firm Warns

[Exterminator]

Russian security firm Elcomsoft claims that Apple secretly logs information on pretty much every single call that you make with your iPhone without offering any option to disable this.

It turns out that users who have iCloud enabled on their devices get their call history automatically synced to the cloud and there’s no way to stop this unless they disable the cloud synchronization completely.

According to the security firm, the log that Apple automatically collects includes call history, phone numbers, dates, call duration, missed calls, FaceTime calls, and information collected from other applications that can also initiate calls over the Internet, including here WhatsApp, Skype, or Facebook.

Apple stores this information for a total of 4 months, and while everything is encrypted, the company could become an easy target for governments seeking access to user data, with the firm also raising doubts over possible surveillance that could be performed.

No reason to worry, Apple says
Apple, on the other hand, says there’s nothing wrong with its feature, and call history is synced only because users want access to their calls from any device that uses an Apple ID. Furthermore, the company guarantees that all data is encrypted and two-factor authentication adds an extra security layer to block any hacking attempts.

“We offer call history syncing as a convenience to our customers so that they can return calls from any of their devices. Device data is encrypted with a user’s passcode, and access to iCloud data including backups requires the user’s Apple ID and password. Apple recommends all customers select strong passwords and use two-factor authentication,” the company said.

The Russian company explains that Apple is aware of the fact that call syncing isn’t quite the most convenient and secure way to make call information on all devices and this is why the company says that it’s better to use Family Sharing instead of the same ID on all devices.

“Some users note that Family Sharing is not an ideal solution since it doesn’t allow sharing iCloud Photo Library. In our opinion, Apple’s recommendation actually makes sense as someone’s Apple ID is personal and should not be used across devices owned by different persons (even within the family),” it says.

Apple hasn’t revealed whether it plans to provide an update that would give users more control over their synced call history.

 

[Vipersd]

So, it's not just the chinese companies that collect data. Everybody is doing it!

 

[ForgottenSeer 55474]

you cant go to the bathroom,without anybody is looking

 

[Entreri]

Cloud...kiss your privacy goodbye. However, Apple needs to provide this option.

This is a lot different than Chinese firm's malware though. Apple fights the FBI to protect your security and privacy...can you imagine even one Chinese company fighting the Communist Party apparatus for people's privacy?

 

[Janl1992l]

Apple fights the FBI to protect your security and privacy

They does not. they happly share the data with any agency. they say it because they need, it would be realy bad if apple simply say they share all data if any agency want it, but they do, like any other big company. thats how it works for a very long time now and still will in the future. nothing will change in this, sadly.

 

[RoboMan]

Can we confirm or deny Google isn't storing our data as well? Everybody is messing with our information, and there's nothing we can do about it. We choose what products/services to use, so we basically choose who will get our personal information. Welcome to real life.

 

[Ink]

Can we confirm or deny Google isn't storing our data as well? Everybody is messing with our information, and there's nothing we can do about it. We choose what products/services to use, so we basically choose who will get our personal information. Welcome to real life.

Exactly, for example, Google Maps with Location History enabled shows where you have been and for how long. Now if you use Google Opinions Rewards, you'll receive relevant and more frequent Surveys in exchange for Free Google Play Credit.

Not everything related to storing information is bad.

So what if Apple stores your recent contact information, it provides sync'd information across multiple devices connected to the same iCloud account.

It's not being shared illegally or to the Secret Services.

 

[RoboMan]

Exactly, for example, Google Maps with Location History enabled shows where you have been and for how long. Now if you use Google Opinions Rewards, you'll receive relevant and more frequent Surveys in exchange for Free Google Play Credit.

Not everything related to storing information is bad.

So what if Apple stores your recent contact information, it provides sync'd information across multiple devices connected to the same iCloud account.

It's not being shared illegally or to the Secret Services.

 

[Fritz]

I agree that Apple should offer the option. That said, the only reason is to have your call history synched on all your devices. A function I sure wouldn't want to miss out on. Heck, I expect such a function to exist rather. And yes, you can bet your sweet behind Google's been doing that, too.

 

[Fritz]

[… ] they happly share the data with any agency. […]

I highly doubt that. Apple is all about $$$ and that would actually hurt their business model.

It's just that sometimes they have the option to go to court, which they'll do (see Apple vs FBI) and sometimes they don't (e.g. a National Security Letter).

Can we confirm or deny Google isn't storing our data as well? Everybody is messing with our information, and there's nothing we can do about it. We choose what products/services to use, so we basically choose who will get our personal information. Welcome to real life.

We can confirm everybody is storing our data. And we can confirm, that some companies are bound to use it, because their entire business model depends on said data. That's why I choose not to choose Google (Don't be evil™).