Apple will bring its new iCloud Advanced Data Protection feature to all users worldwide with the release of iOS 16.3 next week, giving users the choice to protect the vast majority of their most sensitive iCloud data with end-to-end encryption so that it can only be decrypted on their trusted devices.
Apple launched iCloud Advanced Data Protection in the US last year, taking the total number of sensitive data categories using end-to-end encryption to 23, up from 17 currently, leaving the only major iCloud data categories not covered being iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar because of the need to interoperate with the global email, contacts, and calendar systems.
With the new Advanced Data Protection feature, Apple additionally offers end-to-end encryption for Device Backups and Messages Backups, iCloud Drive, Notes, Photos, Reminders, Voice Memos, Safari Bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, and Wallet Passes.
“Apple makes the most secure mobile devices on the market. And now, we are building on that powerful foundation,” said Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of Security Engineering and Architecture. “Advanced Data Protection is Apple’s highest level of cloud data security, giving users the choice to protect the vast majority of their most sensitive iCloud data with end-to-end encryption so that it can only be decrypted on their trusted devices.”