Apple clarifies only iCloud users in China will see data migration to Chinese server
Earlier this week, Apple notified users living in China that their data would be moved to a Chinese company's servers in compliance with local laws. There was some confusion, however, as a number of customers who currently live outside of China received the same message.
![](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/24370-31853-180111-iCloud-l.jpg)
Source: TechCrunch
Apple on Friday clarified the situation with a follow-up email that notes only iCloud users living within China, or whose Apple ID country is China, will see their iCloud data migrated to servers operated by Guizhou-Cloud Big Data Industry Co. Ltd., reports TechCrunch.
The iCloud data handover is in compliance with Chinese internet regulations covering cloud services owned by foreign corporations.
How the mixup occurred is unknown, though Apple did confirm the validity of the follow-up email.
The data migration and similar actions by other companies have riled privacy advocates who cite China's strict internet censorship practices as reason for concern. Apple, however, claims its partnership with GCBD, which dates back to last year, grants customers strong data privacy and security protections. Importantly, the company promises no backdoors will be created by government agencies or other entities.
Those who do not wish to have their iCloud account data moved to GCBD have until the end of February to terminate their account.
![](https://apple.insidercdn.com/gallery/24370-31853-180111-iCloud-l.jpg)
Source: TechCrunch
Apple on Friday clarified the situation with a follow-up email that notes only iCloud users living within China, or whose Apple ID country is China, will see their iCloud data migrated to servers operated by Guizhou-Cloud Big Data Industry Co. Ltd., reports TechCrunch.
The iCloud data handover is in compliance with Chinese internet regulations covering cloud services owned by foreign corporations.
On Wednesday, Apple told Chinese Apple ID holders that it will pass control of its iCloud services to GCBD in late February. TechCrunch later discovered a number of U.S. iCloud users received the email meant for Chinese customers.You recently received an email from us notifying you about an upcoming change for iCloud services in China. This email was sent in error. No changes have been made to your iCloud account.
We are very sorry that you received this email. This email was intended only for customers whose Apple ID country is China. A very small number of our customers whose Apple ID country is not China also received this email by mistake.
How the mixup occurred is unknown, though Apple did confirm the validity of the follow-up email.
The data migration and similar actions by other companies have riled privacy advocates who cite China's strict internet censorship practices as reason for concern. Apple, however, claims its partnership with GCBD, which dates back to last year, grants customers strong data privacy and security protections. Importantly, the company promises no backdoors will be created by government agencies or other entities.
Those who do not wish to have their iCloud account data moved to GCBD have until the end of February to terminate their account.
Comments
If you’re a university student and your uni friends come from Australia, US, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Singapore ... and mainland China. All of you are using iPhone and thus all of you have an Apple ID. All your messages will be stored in mainland China and be monitored be the Chinese Government because some of the mainland Chinese students have their Apple IDs and iCloud data are stored in China?
Tim, so least you need to let us identify whose Apple IDs are registered in the mainland China please.
A better suggestion would be for those people to manage what's synced to their iCloud accounts.
Btw, all communication from/to outside the US are logged somewhere in some US national security server too (from what we’re told, not the content, only the metadata; but who knows). These are the times we live in. Move along...
Apple made decisions that benefited Apple. Just because those decisions involve perceived compromises doesn't make them bad. It just makes them nuanced. Pretty sure Apple realizes they can't fight and win every battle. They have to pick and choose. This is not a battle they can win. They save those bullets for another day. All of that happens with nary a mention of Google or the US Gov't as some type of deflective excuse.
Hey, I have no objections with Mr. Cook running the business how he sees fit. Nor for exercising his free speech rights. Perhaps he should tone it down a bit when it comes to criticizing the U.S. Government.
I wonder how long China would be one of his top 3 markets if he were to call out the Chinese government for the same things he calls out the U.S. government.
Getting rid of iCloud would also mean getting rid of email, iMessages, Find My iPhone, Calander syncing, and a whole slew of other useful features. I don’t recommend that.