Coming soon: Encrypted iCloud backups

After years of lobbying from privacy advocates, Apple is finally expanding end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups.

Apple's new Advanced Data Protection project will bring end-to-end encryption to backups, Photos and Notes — everything in iCloud other than email, calendars and contacts (which can't be end-to-end encrypted because of the need to interoperate with the global systems that provide these services).

The big upshot is that Apple will no longer be able to turn over unencrypted backups to law enforcement agencies.

The increased security also could complicate data recovery in cases where users have lost their passwords.

The setting is off by default, likely because Apple can currently help customers recover lost data using their iCloud backups. But as soon as the customer turns it on, Apple will no longer be able to help.

So keep those passwords secure and retrievable.

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

Apple said Wednesday users are gaining three new security features to protect their data in the cloud, with some available now and some to come. The overall program is called Advanced Data Protection. The three new functions to help keep data and communications safe are iMessage Contact Key Verification, Security Keys for Apple ID and Advanced Data Protection for iCloud.

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One more thing ...

"Good PR educates people; that's all it is. You can't con people in this business. The products speak for themselves." -- Steve Jobs, Playboy interview, 1985.

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