Government Surveillance Exposed Through Google and Apple Notifications.
On Wednesday, a U.S. official issued a warning regarding the surveillance of smartphone users by unidentified and undisclosed government through Google and Apple app notifications. Senator Ron Wyden revealed in a letter to the Justice Department that foreign officials have sought information from Google and Apple. While the specifics are limited, the letter exposes a new method employed by governments to monitor smartphones.
Push notifications, which many apps use to alert users of messages, news, and updates, are primarily delivered through servers operated by Google and Apple. Wyden pointed out that this grants the two tech giants unique visibility into the traffic generated by these apps, suggesting that some apps may have been intentionally designed to assist government tracking of users. He urged the Justice Department to review or modify any laws impeding public discourse on crime news.
In response, Apple stated that the federal government restrictions prevented them from sharing detailed information but acknowledged the need to update their guidelines in light of the disclosed approach. Google assured Wyden of its commitment to informing users about the allegations. The Justice Department refrained from commenting on the tracking revelation or whether it imposed restrictions on Apple and Google’s discussion of the matter.
Wyden’s letter referenced “conduct” as the basis for the warning, with no further elaboration. However, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that both foreign and U.S. governments had solicited metadata from Apple and Google related to notification delivery. This data could potentially aid in linking anonymous messaging users to specific individuals through their Apple or Google accounts. While the foreign governments making these requests remain unidentified, sources clarified that they were independent nations affiliated with the United States. The duration of data collection through this method remains unknown.
Users, often unaware of the data being sent to tech companies, sometimes seek assistance from experts due to the difficulty of exporting reports without involving Google or Apple. Earlier in the year, French developer David Libeau highlighted the lack of awareness among users and developers, labeling it a “privacy nightmare.”
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