On Wednesday, December 7, Apple announced the expansion of iCloud end-to-end technology to more data types, including iPhone backups, messages and photos, welcoming the requests from online privacy activists. Cupertino’s move, however, does not seem to have pleased the FBI at all.
iCloud’s end-to-end encryption currently comes called “Advanced Data Protection” by Apple, and allows you to encrypt user data located on Cupertino servers, so that they can only be decrypted by devices “trusted” by the user, i.e. connected to his Apple account. In this way, for example, neither Apple nor the police can access the sensitive data of those who use iCloud.
Apple’s move was applauded by privacy activists on the web: for example, the Electronic Frontier Foundationwith a statement, declared that “We are pleased with Apple’s decision to listen to the experts and those who care about children’s rights and want to protect their most sensitive data on the Internet. End-to-end encryption is one of the most effective ways to maintain our privacy and security on the web”.
Less happy with the news, however, is the FBI, which told al Washington Post to be”deeply concerned by the threat that end-to-end encryption and user-only access pose to law enforcement”. The FBI also explained that the Advanced Data Protection system makes the job of the investigators more difficultespecially in the field of evidence collection against criminals.
At the same time, in a second interview given to New York Timesex-FBI officer Sasha O’Connell explained that “While it’s nice to see companies prioritizing the safety of their users, it must be remembered that there are contraindicationsand one that is often overlooked is the impact this has on law enforcement access to evidence digital“.
