iPad privacy

Questions
1

Hi,I want to use iPad but have concern about privacy.(I know pixel tablet with graphene Os is the best tablet option for privacy but personally,I don’t like its hardware.)

Here’s what I think i can do so far

I1 Create and use Apple account with fake numbers and fake identity.

2 Always use it with airplane mode on.

3 Disable GPS and telemetry.

I’d like to see other ideas.

2

What is your threat model and what do you want to use it for exactly?

Using an iPad the way you want to is practically useless unless you have a highly peculiar use case

Also, I don’t think you can fully use fake info to create your Apple ID.

3

The phone number you’re using is going to be used for account recovery so you need to use one you actually have access to not a fake one.

1 Like
4

It’s possible only if your usage is very narrowed down. You need to be sure of what you plan to use it for. You will need a working phone number to receive messages for account activation and recovery. Also, unless you plan to only use free apps, you will need iTunes gift cards to pay for stuff.

I have an iPad Pro and iPad Mini (along with an Apple TV) under the same Apple ID. The Pro is mostly used for photo and illustration work, while the Mini is my ‘lounging’ device for browsing and media consumption.

For the phone number, I managed to procure a prepaid sim from a local telco without divulging any details (don’t ask me how) which is like roughly $15 (USD, based on current exchange rates) for 365 days validity and it’s used for nothing but this Apple ID. I just walk into a telco branch and reload it with cash once a year. This setup is likely not available in all countries though. There are probably some equivalent alternatives available online, although I don’t know if any of the privacy respecting alternatives (eg: silent.link) will be as cheap and your phone will need e-sim support obviously.

As for paying for apps or subscriptions, Apple needs to be officially selling iTunes gift cards in your country. In my country, I can get them at any local 7-11 for cash. If they are not available for your country, you can create an account for a country that has that option and purchase gift cards from an online merchant that accepts crypto currency. Last I checked, the phone number tied to the Apple ID does not need to be from the same country your App Store is set to, but that might have changed now. You will have to check.

Note that if you disable location services you will lose Find My support, so there will be no recourse if your iPad is lost or stolen.

Hope this helps.

5

Threat model is government wiretapping and going on a fishing expedition.

6

If that’s the case, then why are you even online?

7

My main threat model is anonymity and mass surveillance

8

I’m not planning to use iCloud or any other services apple account provide.So I would just make another account if I lose one

9

Maybe he needs the internet to help him on his fishing expeditions?

10

I’d assume they verify your number, so you’d probably need to anonymously purchase a VoIP. Beware that some services can detect and refuse VoIP numbers, at which point you’d need to buy a burner phone and pre-paid number in cash. If that’s not possible in your country, I believe there are some online “real number” services you can pay for anonymously.

This is sort of confusing. Are you saying right after you create an Apple account you’ll never go on the internet again? Is an Apple account even required for purely offline use? I’m not even sure what you’d use it for if it never connects to the internet.

Assuming you’re going to connect it to the internet sometimes, it’s best to set up a VPN on your router so Apple never sees where you’re truly coming from. I’m not sure if that’ll result in additional scrutiny from Apple while creating an account, so public WiFi might be an easier (but less private) alternative.

11

Can’t I use wifi with airplane mode on?

I read that turning airplane mode on and using wifi is bit better for privacy.

12

Ohh I see, I misunderstood. Airplane mode should disable all radios by default so yes it’d be more private even if you’re enabling WiFi after. Assuming your model of iPad doesn’t have a modem, I think it’d only be disabling bluetooth and NFC. If I recall correctly, iOS/iPadOS automatically enables radios after each restart & OS update, so keep that in mind.

13

Hello !

Indeed, iPads are super cool hardware but as all Apple products, it has privacy issues as a recent post here showed.

Even if you use it mostly offline, you’ll need to connect to the Internet to apply security patches or other updates.

Protecting against "mass surveillance” is super large without any further details, so, to sum up a bit (I consider that you’ll connect your iDevices to the Internet from time to time, or like JG told, it will be practically unusable) :

  • Apple practices VPN leaks “in order to get iOS to work properly”
    • Apple always have your real IP address
    • The only way to do proper DNS blocking is to self create a proper iOS configuration profile to use a private ADGuard server (pretty easy), either way, DNS leaks appear
  • Apple scans Bluetooth devices and WiFi networks around you even when Airplane Mode is activated (it also exists in android) — your antennas are never really “off”. You’ll have to trust their settings (in some cases involving high security postures, might be considered)
  • Find My technology is on even if the device is off (you can deactivate that)
  • Some telemetry is still being sent to Apple even with privacy options activated
    • You may have a look at this post from Apple and compare with what your device is sending across your network. I personally block some of these domains and it works like a charm.
  • Finally, the way you buy your iDevices is important. If you buy from an official marketplace (Wallmart, Amazon, Apple themselves), they’ll be able to link the device ID to your credit cards / delivery location / …
  • Be careful on what you put as recovery emails and phone numbers (you should be alone to access them but they’d not be linked to you)

Let me know if you have any question / remark.

Cheers !

14

How do you know the device ID is attached to the credit card if bought from Walmart and Amazon?

1 Like
15

Because if the device is lost in transport, they’re able to lock it via Find My network and to show a pop-up / send you an email about that.

16

Source? Pretty scary if confirmed to be true.