[callalex]

Your argument about iMessage on Mac’s holds water, but the iPhone is sold as an appliance and there is no concept of a file system presented to the user. They sell the messaging platform as “encrypted” and the word “encrypted” is plastered all over iCloud marketing and documentation. You really can’t blame the user for assuming the appliance is secure by default. When you first set up an iPhone it just asks you if you want to back up to iCloud. It doesn’t use the word “insecure” nor “unencrypted” anywhere on that screen.

[dwaite]

in what way is iCloud backup 'insecure' or 'unencrypted'?

[callalex]

Aha, you are proving my point about how misleading Apple’s communications are about this!

By default, iCloud backups are “secured” by a key that Apple stores and controls. This means that both Apple and anyone who can compel or hack Apple can still access your data.

Here’s the official documentation: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651