Apple Plans to Encrypt ICloud Backups
Apple It announced Wednesday that users will be able to use the service. Encrypt Additional types of iCloud data are available on the servers, including full backups and photos, as well as notes.
Advanced Data Protection will block Apple from viewing some of the most sensitive user data stored in its servers. It will also make it impossible for Apple not to give law enforcement an encrypted backup.
According to Apple, encrypted backups will be available before the year ends in the U.S.
Apple has encrypted some of its data previously, but entire device backups, including text messages and contacts, were not encrypted end-to-end. Apple also had previous access to backups.
Security advocates will be pleased by the move. Many of them previously pointed to unencrypted iCloud back-ups as a weakness in Apple’s privacy policies. This also means that any breach of Apple’s servers would not expose user data.
This could cause problems for law enforcement. They have used Apple’s policy not to encrypt backups as a means of obtaining materials in investigations, even though Apple’s iMessage and devices are encrypted.
According to Wall Street Journal, the FBI criticized Apple’s new feature in an opinion statement released Wednesday. It stated that it would “hinder” the bureau’s ability “protect the American people against criminal acts.”
Next >>
