Apple releases report on government information requests

Google, Yahoo and other technology companies have come forward with statements about government information requests. Now, it is Apple’s turn to disclose details about customer privacy, transparency and global information requests on it customers. Apple released the report on its website in PDF format. The public report details the number and the type of requests it receives from the US and other governments around the world. Apple says it provided this report so customers know how their personal data is being handled by the Cupertino company. We believe that our customers have a right to understand how their personal information is handled, and we consider it our responsibility to provide them with the best privacy protections available. Unlike Google which focuses on data, Apple points out that its business model “does not depend on collecting personal data.” Perhaps most important, our business does not depend on collecting personal data. We have no interest in amassing personal information about our customers. We protect personal conversations by providing end-to-end encryption over iMessage and FaceTime. We do not store location data, Maps searches, or Siri requests in any identifiable form. The Cupertino company also adds that it would prefer to be more transparent about these requests, but the US government prevents Apple from disclosing the details on these requests. At the time of this report, the U.S. government does not allow Apple to disclose, except in broad ranges, the number of national security orders, the number of accounts affected by the orders, or whether content, such as emails, was disclosed. We strongly oppose this gag order, and Apple has made the case for relief from these restrictions in meetings and discussions with the White House, the U.S. Attorney General, congressional leaders, and the courts. Apple confirms that it has received between 1,000 and 2,000 requests from US law enforcement. This dwarfs other countries which sent 127 or less requests. These requests target 2000-3000 accounts. The US also tops other countries in device information requests, with 3,542. The US if followed by Germany with 2,156 requests and Singapore with 1,498. You can view a larger version of the table here and read the full report on Apple’s website. Continue reading →

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