Apple plans to soon grant a lot more privacy to its users by fully encrypting data uploaded to iCloud. The data will include photos, chat history, and other sensitive data of Apple users. In this way, most hackers and law enforcement won’t be able to have access to that data, according to The Washington Post.
The same source reveals that the FBI manifested its deep concern that such encryption can also have negative effects. Here’s what the law enforcement agency stated in an email, according to the same website mentioned above:
This hinders our ability to protect the American people from criminal acts ranging from cyber-attacks and violence against children to drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism,
In this age of cybersecurity and demands for ‘security by design,’ the FBI and law enforcement partners need ‘lawful access by design’.
Apple announced its upcoming enhancement regarding data protection a few days ago through its official website, which means that pretty much nobody could still remain skeptical.
The new encryptions will be available for US users in about two weeks, but public software testers might already be able to have access to them. As for those who live in other countries, they will have access to the new encryptions in 2023.
A part of Apple’s announcement sounds like this:
Apple today introduced three advanced security features focused on protecting against threats to user data in the cloud, representing the next step in its ongoing effort to provide users with even stronger ways to protect their data. With iMessage Contact Key Verification, users can verify they are communicating only with whom they intend.
Apple has been delaying for years to apply its plan of granting fully encrypted backups, as the government hasn’t been delighted by such a move and wanted to make the Cupertino-based tech giant reconsider.
