Do you have your contacts, photos, and other data stored in Apple's iCloud? Your files may actually be residing in Google's cloud though!

Apple has finally admitted to the world that it uses services from Google Cloud to power iCloud, its cloud backup, and storage system for iPad, iPhone, and Mac. 

The admission came as a single reference to the Google Cloud Platform, buried deep in a document, written by Apple that outlines the security features of iOS 11 for developers and IT professionals. The reference to Google was first spotted by CNBC. 

© Apple

The Cupertino tech giant is now using Google's Cloud Platform, in addition to Amazon's S3 service, to store iCloud data. In the past, Apple has used Amazon's S3 and Microsoft Azure for iCloud storage. Now, it appears that Apple has ditched Azure in favour of Google Cloud Platform. Apple isn't Google's only big-name cloud customer. Spotify, Snap, and PayPal also rely on Google's cloud services.

© YouTube

Each file is broken into chunks and encrypted by iCloud using AES-128 and a key derived from each chunk's contents that utilize SHA-256. The keys and the file's metadata are stored by Apple in the user's iCloud account. The encrypted chunks of the file are stored, without any user-identifying information, using third-party storage services, such as S3 and Google Cloud Platform. 

© Engadget

There's no indication of whether Apple is simply using Google's cloud for cheap and efficient storage of photos and backups, or whether Google's more advanced cloud features are coming into play.

Meanwhile, Apple is gearing up to start storing the cryptographic keys for Chinese users' iCloud accounts in China instead of the US for the first time, according to a few reports published last week. That change will give Chinese authorities the ability to go through their country's own legal system, as opposed to US courts, to get information on Chinese iCloud users.