The article states that Apple recommends not putting any sensitive data in the payloads as well as encrypting the payloads
This sounds a lot like a scenario where Apple informs that a mechanism used for standard mobile communication is being survived by governments not necessarily a scenario where something Apple or google are doing is inherently surveillance.
Here it seems like the surveillance is occurring at the 3rd parties who send the push notifications.
surveillance is occurring at the 3rd parties who send the push notifications.
The “government agencies have been asking Apple and Google for metadata related to push notifications.”
Apple has this information because for apps to send push notifications, they have to use Apple servers or forgo it entirely. You could say the third parties might be sloppy, but if governments are after metadata, then push notifications will provide plenty, even if the contents aren’t in the notifications.
The article states that Apple recommends not putting any sensitive data in the payloads as well as encrypting the payloads
This sounds a lot like a scenario where Apple informs that a mechanism used for standard mobile communication is being survived by governments not necessarily a scenario where something Apple or google are doing is inherently surveillance.
Here it seems like the surveillance is occurring at the 3rd parties who send the push notifications.
The “government agencies have been asking Apple and Google for metadata related to push notifications.”
Apple has this information because for apps to send push notifications, they have to use Apple servers or forgo it entirely. You could say the third parties might be sloppy, but if governments are after metadata, then push notifications will provide plenty, even if the contents aren’t in the notifications.
Right?
First they get location data because cell towers and people not caring.
Then they notice all these message notifications between these dozen people at this time, at this location, that happens to coincide with a protest.
Ding, fries are done!