Not that this needs pointing out, but this also means the mysterious Chinese server also gets to read all your iMessages. This is some kind of quasi-MITM, and for that alone Apple would be in the right to block this kind of thing from ever working.
If you are American, you don't have to fear from Chinese espionage, and US agencies already have your data. If you are European, it's more or less the same. If you are from China, well, at least you can prove that you are not doing anything behind the government back ;)
Neither Apple nor the NSA will, for example, immediately rack up a string of fraudulent charges on every credit card number that it sees come through its system. Some random guy in China? I'd say there's a pretty high chance that's exactly the reason this app is in the app store.
I'd feel more secure with just some guy off the street reading my messages. Fortunately I don't ever send CC#'s through messaging services so there's very little else he could do.
You may be right that there is more risk involved now, but it is nice to get the point out in the open.
I don't know who's running this server in China. But unless it's the NSA, you're much worse off using this app than native iMessage, because now in addition to NSA seeing everything, so does this guy--who has no reputation at risk. Adding more eavesdroppers makes communications additively less secure.
How exactly do I have nothing to fear from the Chinese? At least the NSA is unlikely to have any real interest in communications between Americans in America because it's outside their mission, which is not true for Chinese or Russian intelligence.
I do not think that this statement is accurate. The NSA has specifically targeted the largest players.
Also: "encryption works. Properly implemented strong crypto systems are reliable" - Edward Snowden.
Very true. That's a consequence of the largest players in winner-take-all markets being targeted.
It's sad that the NSA and government has lost the faith of Americans to the point that the word of one man is taken without question.
scary baseling like this
Not. This. Again.
Because one person can read your messages, it doesn't mean that the whole world should be able to. One happening doesn't mean the other is okay.
Clearly most people are going to "trust" Apple Computer more than this app vendor. But the point is that such trust isn't worth anything. The data is hanging out there already.
It is not only one person, it is not only Apple servers reading all your messages. It is in fact the whole world. Through Apple gives it to NSA which hands it over to various other agencies, GHCQ, FRA, your data ends up in Israel. Your data is already a goods traded with on the international market.
Why not increase the competitiveness of this Chinese actor, you will get better service in the future? More competitive - better service.
Apple, NSA saw CC number in your chat log, but Apple, NSA, GHCQ, FRA or Israeli Intelligence won't steal your CC and use it.
However, the Chinese vendor could intercept CC info and sell it to blackmarket.
The NSA has already sold your CC on the black market. Its just that the buyer hasnt used it, because they cant use it without getting penalties. Penalties which this Chinese vendor would succumb to as well.
Now are you going to say you trust Israel more than the Chinese, they wont misuse your CC, and if they did, its still better than trusting a Russian vendor?
Citation needed. There are numerous stories (unconfirmed of course, but that's the way these things always are) of Chinese hackers breaking into companies and stealing trade secrets. They aren't just after super spies, you know.
And you don't work in an industry the Chinese would be interested in? Good for you. But do you know anyone that is? This hack might quite possibly allow them to send messages as you to whoever they want.
"The NSA has my information so hey, screw it" isn't really an appropriate reaction.
This guy may well be a perfectly responsible entrepreneur, but the fact is that common Chinese business practices can be pretty shocking. My wife in Chinese, her sister works for a bank over there and her husband is a cop. I could tell your stories that would make your hair stand on end, but I don't want to put anyone off ever going there again. I love China, but doing business over there's not for the faint hearted and it's just good sense to be realistic about it.