[ben-gy]

I disagree - the average person is not capable of securely managing their own data, which is why they pick a consumer brand like Apple to do it for them - providing an option to do so would likely result in significant exposure of personal data at significant scale from botched DIY attempts.

To test this theory, simply ask an average iPhone or Android user what encryption is.

What you are saying here is the equivalent to me buying a plane ticket, but also having the option to fly the plane as well.

If you want to manage your own data - use something like a PinePhone - the barrier to entry is high enough that people who are capable of managing their own data securely can use the device and achieve the data sovereignty outcome they require.

That said, I believe Apple should build and manage their own infrastructure. They have the resources and capabilities to do so. The longer Apple stick’s with GCP the larger the inertia of moving away and the less leverage they have when it comes to negotiating to maintain their high standard of privacy commitments.

[fieryscribe]

I don't find this so convincing.

Most normal usera may not be able to secure things effectively and they can still use the existing iCloud / Google Play infrastructure. That doesn't mean that other users, who want to manage their own data for one reason or another, shouldn't get the opportunity.

It's far more likely that building and maintaining this feature is not worth the development time for Apple and Google product teams at this point, since the possible market is small

[shmoe]

Exactly why it won't happen anytime soon, unfortunately.

[omegalulw]

Apple has already diversified their cloud usage so the inertia in building and switching to their own cloud may not be that big.