Stupidest shit in the world. I just read about the technical specifications and it looks like the only encryption used is TLS. That means the link up to apples server is encrypted. Could it stop the feds from wiretapping at the local level (ie: observing only your link to the server)? Maybe, if they can't MITM it anyway. But it is completely irrelevant because they can wiretap at apples servers. For one, Apple will immediately bend over backwards for the feds and allow them to tap anyone they want to , especially if the feds have a court order. And for two, we don't even know if Apple keeps logs indefinitely allowing the feds to retroactively tap into the communications. Essentially it is as secure as AIM, XMPP, IRC or any other instant message protocol that allows for TLS encrypted links. So in short, either the feds complaining about not being able to tap this are fucking hopelessly retarded and should all be fired for being incompetent fuckwads, or they are cleverly trying to get idiots to think TLS links to major American corporation servers are enough to protect them from the feds. Most likely it is misinformation purposely released by the feds.