December 7 (UPI) — Apple announced Wednesday that it will add end-to-end encryption to iCloud backup system with a security system called “Advanced Data Protection”.
With standard encryption, Apple holds the encryption keys, which means the company can help you access your account data if you need to recover it. Data stored using end-to-end encryption can only be encrypted on a user’s trusted device after signing in to iCloud.
“As threats to user data become more sophisticated and complex, these new features join a suite of other protections that make Apple products the most secure on the market,” Apple said in a press release.
The overhaul will increase the number of data categories protected by end-to-end encryption from 14 to 23. Apps including Notes, iCloud Drive, Photos, Reminders, Voice Memos and Safari Pass will be covered by the new encryption.
Security overhauls will also include iMessage contact key verification, which allows users to verify that they are sending messages only to intended recipients, and security keys that will allow users to use third-party hardware to increase data protection.
“Apple makes the most secure mobile devices on the market. And now, we’re building on that solid foundation,” said Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of security engineering and architecture.
According to Krstić, Advanced Data Protection will give users “the choice to protect the vast majority of the most sensitive iCloud data with end-to-end encryption so it can only be decrypted on their trusted devices.”
“Experts say the total amount of data more than tripled between 2013 and 2021, exposing 1.1 billion personal records worldwide in 2021 alone,” Apple said.
Users will have the option to enable enhanced data protection from their devices.
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