Apple expands iCloud end-to-end encryption and takes your data privacy to the next level

Good news for users iCloud. apple announced end-to-end encryption extension to more categories of your cloud platform to protect the privacy of your personal data. The new feature is named after Advanced data protection and will be available internationally from 2023.

As explained in Cupertino, end-to-end encryption is now will be available in 23 iCloud data categoriesup from the original 14. This means that from now on, all backup information, notes, photos, reminders, messages, and more will also remain encrypted and will only be accessible through devices turned on by users.

Apple explains that the only three major iCloud categories that will remain without end-to-end encryption will be iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar. This is because they must maintain compatibility with their respective global systems in order to continue working.

The California-based company is committed to providing the highest level of data protection in the cloud with this new feature. It’s worth clarifying that while iCloud categories that already had end-to-end encryption had it enabled by default, Those who want to take advantage of extended data protection will have to activate it manually..

Starting today, this option will be available in the United States for those who are part of its beta program, according to Apple. Until the end of the year, he will reach the rest of the users in North America. Global availability of Advanced Data Protection will be launched at the beginning of 2023though it has not yet been mentioned which countries it will hit first.

iCloud expands its commitment to end-to-end encryption

Apple’s determination is clearly not secondary and can bring important changes even in the legal field. Let’s remember that those in Cupertino have squabbled with US federal agencies on several occasions for not providing the tools to access their devices – mostly iPhones – when they are encrypted. However, they provided access to information stored in iCloud backups upon legitimate request. But with the introduction of Advanced Data Protection, this will no longer be possible..

Users who choose to enable advanced end-to-end encryption in iCloud will need to set up a way to recover their information if they lose access to their account. To do this, they can choose between a recovery key or a trusted contact.

In an interview with Wall Street Magazine, Craig Federighi, Apple’s VP of Software Engineering, highlighted the reason for iCloud’s advanced data protection. “As customers place more and more personal information on their devices, they are increasingly being targeted by advanced actors. All of us who manage customer data are constantly being attacked by organizations trying to hack into our systems. We must anticipate future attacks with new defenses,” he said.

In addition to expanding end-to-end encryption in iCloud, Apple announced Two other new security features. One of them is the support for physical security keys in two-factor authentication; the other is a system that allows you to recognize if a hacker is trying to break into an iMessage conversation.