Apple iMessage, FaceTime

http://www.apple.com/ios/messages/

Messaging, telephony, videophone and collaboration service for iOS and MacOS devices. Transfers messages encrypted thru Apple proxy servers. iMessage trasfers text, voice messages and files. FaceTime transfers video and voice.

Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

Terms of service (version September 19, 2019): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html
Privacy Policy (version updated on December 31, 2019): https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/
Legislation: For EU citizens governing law and forum shall be the laws and courts of your usual place of residence.

Evaluation (27th October 2020)

(minus)  iMessage and FaceTime can be used without registering an Apple ID (and without agreeing to Terms of Use), if the service is activated on an iOS device with only the telephone number used as user identification

(minus) Service provider is located outside of Finnish Act for Privacy of Electronic Communications (Controller: Apple Ireland, Processor: Apple USA)

(plus) Provides multifactor authentication

(plus)  Messaging and video/audio is end-to-end encrypted, keys are exchanged via Apple's proprietary global device directory. Apple is technically able to insert additional third-party encryption keys of required by law, but it is not mentioned in the description whether Apple does so. The enrcyption model itself can be considered safe. Attached files and photos are encrypted and saved into iCloud. The key and address are sent as an iMessage to recipient(s).

Login

Apple ID or a valid telephone SIM in an iPhone. Multifactor authentication can be used. iMessage and Facetime can be used without AppleID registration by using phone number as an user-id.

Backup and restore

Cloud Backup periodically creates automatic backups for iOS devices, when the device is screen locked, connected to a power source, and connected to the Internet via a WiFi network. If a device has not backed up to iCloud for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days, Apple reserves the right to delete any backups associated with that device. Backup may include device settings, device characteristics, photos and videos, documents, your messages, ringtones, Health app data and other app data. For additional information, please go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207428. The following content is not included in your iCloud backup: content purchased from the iTunes Store, App Store, or Apple Books, media synced from your computer, and your photo library if you have enabled iCloud Photo Library. Apple shall use reasonable skill and due care in providing the Service.

Information and data security

All the information you provide may be transferred or accessed by entities around the world as described in this Privacy Policy. Personal information, relating to Apple services, regarding individuals who reside in a member state of the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland is controlled by Apple Distribution International Limited in Ireland, and processed on its behalf by Apple Inc. Apple uses approved Model Contractual Clauses for the international transfer of personal information collected in the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

To provide location-based services on Apple products, Apple and our partners and licensees, such as maps data providers, may collect, use, and share precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device. Where available, location-based services may use GPS, Bluetooth, and your IP Address, along with crowd-sourced WiFi hotspot and cell tower locations, and other technologies to determine your devices’ approximate location.

Provider

Apple Distribution International Ltd., Ireland

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