Apple will allow you to better protect your photos and data in the cloud

Strengthen the protection of its users’ data. This is the goal that Apple has set for itself. In a press release published on Wednesday, December 7, the group introduced new tools to better protect its users’ personal and professional information from both hackers and authorities.

. What are these new features?

In particular, Apple has announced three new security features aimed at protecting its customers’ data. The main one is the end-to-end encryption of iCloud, Apple’s service that allows its users to protect their files, notes and passwords.

Indeed, customers of the storage service will soon be able to choose “advanced data protection“, which encodes 9 types of additional content, including photos. The iPhone manufacturer reminded that 14 categories, such as passwords and health information, are already encrypted. iCloud users will be able toprotect the vast majority of their most sensitive data with end-to-end encryption so it can only be decrypted on their trusted devices– said Ivan Krstic, head of Apple’s security systems.

Only iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar will be excluded from this comprehensive protection technology to maintain interoperability with other systems. The Californian tech giant already uses end-to-end encryption on its iMessage messages, as well as WhatsApp (Meta) and other messaging apps. This system allows messages to be scrambled, and only the sender and recipient have “keysto read them.

Apple also promises two more new features by 2023 for people who are more likely to be spied on, e.g.journalists, human rights defenders, elected officials“. On the iMessage messaging service, they will have additional safeguards against the risk of chatting with identity thieves. And will strengthen their authentication system to unlock their devices.

In particular, users will be able to activate “ignition keyin iMessage. And thus receive automatic notifications if a person manages to hack into the servers and install a device to listen to their encrypted communications. They will also receive a contact verification code in person, via FaceTime or another secure call.

In addition, Apple intends to introduce “security keys» materials to strengthen their double authentication system. Users who are likely to be spied on will be able to obtain an NFC or USB key, which will be needed to verify the identity of the iPhone or iPad user. The two features were offered a year after the company was forced to urgently patch a computer vulnerability that Pegasus software, from Israel’s NSO Group, was able to exploit to infect iPhones.

. What are the reactions to these statements?

Many governments, even democratic ones, have a dim view of democratizing these complex data security techniques. In the USA and Europe they call with half a word “rear doors“That is, the shortcomings of this software, in particular, for the fight against terrorism or child abuse. But Apple has built its reputation in part on respecting its customers’ privacy. “Our commitment to providing the best data security in the world is unwaveringsaid group vice president Craig Federighi. The announcement also cited a study that found data breaches tripled between 2013 and 2021.

Following the announcements, Apple told US magazine Wired to refrain from scanning suspected child abuse photos received via iMessage. The group announced this measure in the summer to combat child pornography and expose sexual images involving children. The company has assured that it only has access to images that are believed to pose a risk to its users. Nevertheless, this measure was highly criticized. Critics saw it as undermining Apple’s customer privacy in favor of “Control system“.