Apple: most iCloud data can now be end-to-end encrypted
- The FBI was displeased, saying in a statement that it remains a strong advocate of encryption schemes that provide ‘lawful access by design’
- Last year, Apple announced, then withdrew after a flood of objections, a plan to scan iPhones for photos of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM
As part of an ongoing privacy push, Apple said on Wednesday that it will now offer full end-to-end encryption for nearly all the data its users store in its global cloud-based storage system. That will make it more difficult for hackers, spies and law enforcement agencies to access sensitive user information.
The world’s most valuable company has long placed customer security and privacy at a premium. Its iMessage and FaceTime communications services are fully encrypted end-to-end and it has sometimes locked horns with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, over its refusal to unlock devices.
But a lot of what customers backed up remotely using Apple’s iCloud service – including photos, videos and chats – has not been afforded uncompromising protection through end-to-end encryption, a technology that prevents even Apple from decrypting it. That has made it easier for crooks, spies – and criminal investigators with court orders – to get at it.
No longer. The loophole that law enforcement had for getting at iPhone data will now be considerably narrowed.
Apple, which is based in Cupertino, California, did not respond to requests for comment on the timing of the announcement and other issues.