Joe Rogan has strongly criticized Apple’s decision to remove end-to-end encryption from iCloud in the UK. The decision, which follows pressure from the British government to provide a ‘backdoor’ for law enforcement access, has raised concerns about user privacy and data security. As a result, the JRE host rushed to X to criticize the decision, wondering if Google had made a similar tradeoff with Android smartphones. So, did the tech giant reply to his question? Well, they did, and it surely impressed Joe Rogan and Elon Musk!
The UFC commentator’s criticism highlights the growing debate about government intrusion into digital privacy, especially when it affects users across borders. Joe Rogan questioned whether Google had granted the UK government access to encrypted Android backups, similar to Apple’s compliance with the Investigatory Powers Act. “This is insanely f—– up, but the question is, did @Google do the same thing with Android?” Rogan wrote. “RCS texts are encrypted, but does the UK government have the same access to Android phones? If not, it’s a great motivation to switch platforms.”
His viewpoint echoes the broader concerns of tech consumers who fear losing control of their personal data as a result of government-mandated security weaknesses. Google responded by highlighting that Android backups are encrypted and only available to the user. “Android backups are encrypted, and no one can access them except you; it’s been that way since 2018,” claimed Google. The JRE host praised the direct clarification, stating, “Thank you for the clarification!” Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO, replied with a simple yet telling statement: “Cool.”
Now, to be clear, Apple’s official stance is a ‘No’ to the UK’s backdoor order. But, Apple’s action has fuelled speculation that other tech companies may face similar pressure from governments to boost their surveillance capabilities. Although Apple has stated that it will never create a backdoor for its products, the removal of Advanced Data Protection in the UK sets a troubling precedent. By disabling the E2E encryption, Apple has made sure they are not breaking the law.
Thank you for the clarification! https://t.co/MGHUDaQbjE
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 24, 2025
However, it is not the first time that Joe Rogan has raised his voice against governments invading the privacy of their citizens. In fact, the idea of privacy may already be an illusion, according to the UFC commentator.
Joe Rogan and Elon Musk expose the “Illusion of Privacy”
On his fifth appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk and the UFC commentator had a serious debate about technology and privacy, revealing what they called the “illusion of privacy” in the digital age. Joe Rogan, who first complimented Apple’s flawless interface, later confessed that he considered switching to Android but decided against it due to concerns about government spying. According to the UFC commentator, authorities can easily intercept and read texts sent via the Android operating system, raising severe concerns about personal data security in the United States.
Joe Rogan criticized the government’s access to private conversations and emphasized the need for more caution. The UFC commentator said, “They can read everything. They can read anything. If all they need to do is have your phone number, the illusion of privacy is essentially out the window.” Elon Musk, known for his strong stance on government overreach, confirmed Rogan’s concerns: “If the government tries hard enough, they can read Signal messages.”
As both figures freely expressed their disdain for government institutions, the conversation quickly developed into an exposé of the lack of genuine digital security. Fast forward to the present, and Joe Rogan’s trusted Apple has now removed the encryption on their devices, while Android, unlike the UFC commentator’s past beliefs, is still making sure that the conversations are kept away from the government’s prying eyes. But what do you think of this move by Apple? Let us know in the comments.
The post “Insanely F***ed Up”- Joe Rogan & Elon Musk’s Concerns Addressed as Google Comes Clean on Data Privacy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
