Apple will improve the security of its iCloud storage service. With the so-called advanced data protection, the technology company fulfills the wishes of the customers.
iPhone, iPad and Mac owners can now store their data in iCloud with what is known as end-to-end encryption. The data is stored encrypted and the encryption key used is stored on the device as well as the key to decrypt the data. The latter has so far been stored on Apple’s iCloud servers.
Hackers who gained access to Apple servers could also access iCloud user data. This could include notes, files, voice memos and messages, which are now more secure. Previously, health data, passwords and payment information were already stored encrypted. End-to-end encryption is not yet possible only for emails, contacts and calendars.
The new security feature also means that Apple can’t give data to governments and law enforcement agencies if they request it. There was more to do there, because a lot of people’s personal data is stored via their mobile phone. As a result, such login services can learn a lot about people, possibly including sensitive information.
Apple’s cloud storage has long been considered vulnerable, even though the company’s devices already offer world-class security features. With the update of these features, Apple now wants to fill this gap. Apple is also introducing an additional security feature for iMessage, allowing users to verify that the person they’re chatting with is really that person. Both chatters then receive a message with the same code from Apple and can thus determine the identity of the other.
The new features will be available in the US this month and worldwide early next year. Apple also informed various American media that it would stop developing a system that scans users’ phones for child sexual abuse images. The tech company announced such a system last year, but it has come under a lot of criticism from privacy experts.
iPhone, iPad and Mac owners can now store their data in iCloud with what is known as end-to-end encryption. The data is stored encrypted and the encryption key used is stored on the device as well as the key to decrypt the data. The latter has so far been stored on Apple’s iCloud servers. Hackers who gained access to Apple servers could also access iCloud user data. This could include notes, files, voice memos and messages, which are now more secure. Previously, health data, passwords and payment information were already stored encrypted. End-to-end encryption is not yet possible only for emails, contacts and calendars. The new security feature also means that Apple can’t give data to governments and law enforcement agencies if they request it. There was more to do there, because a lot of people’s personal data is stored via their mobile phone. As a result, such access services can learn a lot about people, potentially including sensitive information. Apple’s cloud storage has long been considered vulnerable, even though the company’s devices already offer world-class security features. With the update of these features, Apple now wants to fill this gap. Apple is also introducing an additional security feature for iMessage, allowing users to verify that the person they’re chatting with is really that person. Both chatters then receive a message with the same code from Apple and can thus determine the identity of the other. The new features will be available in the US this month and worldwide early next year. Apple also informed various American media that it would stop developing a system that scans users’ phones for child sexual abuse images. The tech company announced such a system last year, but it has come under a lot of criticism from privacy experts.
