End-to-end encryption for iCloud backups

© iStock/Apple.

Apple is extending end-to-end encryption to additional data categories, and in particular to backups of the contents of users’ devices. To date, only fourteen data categories were protected in iCloud, but that has now increased to twenty-three, including photos, notes, voice memos, reminders, and Safari bookmarks. Not all encryptions are equal, however. Apple says that to guarantee interoperability, calendars, contacts and mail will not be covered. The feature will be gradually deployed in the coming months. Be warned, though: Apple won’t be able to retrieve your data if you forget your iCloud password and have activated the functionality. On the other hand, Apple is improving its support of two-factor authentication by letting users secure their accounts with hardware keys such as YubiKeys.

⇨ The Verge, Jay Peters, “Apple is adding end-to-end encryption to iCloud backups.”

2022-12-07