It has been just days since Apple released the latest software update for the iPhone, iPad, and the Mac. While the update brings along new features, bug fixes, and other enhancements, one feature that the iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 update brings along is a new security feature that has even the FBI pissed off.
It is a small switch that when turned on will make anything that you have backed up in iCloud to be end-to-end encrypted.
Apple is calling the feature Advanced Data Protection and will make all your backup in iCloud more secure than it has ever been. That is because it is only you who would be able to access your backups and no one else, not even Apple itself. Further, in the unfortunate scenario of a hacker gaining unauthorized access to Apple servers, they will only come across encrypted data and won’t come across anything that can be of use to them.
No wonder the FBI isn’t pleased with the developments as requests for access to user data are not likely to yield the desired results. Since the data is end-to-end encrypted, Apple too isn’t able to access the same.
So, unless the FBI is able to force a suspect to show all that he or she has backed up in his or her iCloud account, or if there is a law enacted that makes it mandatory for suspects to reveal their iCloud back-ups, the security agencies might have a tough time unraveling what iCloud might be holding.
That said, the Advanced Data Protection feature right now is only available in the US. Apple said it will be rolled out in the rest of the world in a gradual manner next year. However, though it is merely speculative at the moment though such plans might run into issues in case the move is contested in countries that give precedence to law enforcement agencies over user privacy. In any case, Advanced Data Protection is still a welcome development that can make our iCloud backups all the more secure.
However, before you turn it on, it is highly recommended that you first update all your Apple devices and not just your iPhone or iPad to the latest update available.
