Apple’s iCloud Private Relay Experiences Outages Affecting Major Markets
Impact on Users and Service Availability
TechCrunch has learned that Apple’s iCloud Private Relay, a service designed to protect paid iCloud users from online trackers, is experiencing outages in major markets. The disruptions have resulted in users being unable to access web services and apps that rely on internet connectivity. Affected regions include Europe, India, Japan, and the United States, with issues reported since at least Thursday.
User Experiences
The sporadic outages have led to difficulties for Apple users who are attempting to access the web using the Safari browser. Additionally, installed apps are experiencing internet connectivity issues, further complicating the situation. The exact cause of these outages remains unclear, but they appear to be widespread across various regions.
System Status Web Page Confirmation
Apple’s System Status web page has confirmed the current outage and has provided a clear indication that some users may experience ‘slow or unavailable’ service when attempting to use iCloud Private Relay. This information can be accessed directly on Apple’s website, offering a platform for users to check if they are affected by the outages.
Understanding iCloud Private Relay
Launched in 2021 specifically for iCloud+ subscribers, iCloud Private Relay is designed to safeguard Apple users from online trackers. It achieves this by encrypting traffic going through customer devices and sending requests using two separate internet relays. This approach prevents web trackers and internet service providers from profiling users based on their IP addresses, location, and browsing activity.
The Oblivious DNS-over-HTTPS Protocol
Icloud Private Relay utilizes the Oblivious DNS-over-HTTPS protocol, which was developed in collaboration between Apple and Cloudflare in 2020. This protocol plays a crucial role in protecting user data by encrypting traffic and making it difficult for trackers to profile users.
Temporary Workaround Available
For those affected by the ongoing outages, there is a temporary workaround available. Users can temporarily switch off the service by navigating to Settings > Profile > iCloud > Private Relay. This may not be an ideal solution for all users but provides an immediate method to mitigate some of the disruptions caused by these outages.
No Comment from Apple
When approached for comment regarding the ongoing issues with iCloud Private Relay, Apple did not respond. This lack of response adds to the uncertainty surrounding the cause and potential resolution timeline for these outages.
Related Developments and Updates
The outages affecting iCloud Private Relay have sparked interest in related topics and updates. TechCrunch’s coverage includes recent articles on:
- Tesla and Electric Truck Charging Corridors: Tesla is set to split a $100 million award to support the creation of electric truck charging corridors in Illinois.
- Bluesky and Flashes Photo-Sharing App: Bluesky, a new photo-sharing app called Flashes has been launched, offering users an alternative platform for sharing content.
- UnitedHealth and Data Breach Notice: UnitedHealth was criticized for hiding its Change Healthcare data breach notice for months.
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