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Apple Launches Brand New Data Security Protection for iCloud

Apple Launches Brand New Data Security Protection for iCloud

To protect your data from potential breaches, Apple has launched the iOS 16.2 update that grants iPhone users a new feature to safeguard their information – even if there is an incident on the cloud!

Apple’s recent upgrade is poised to completely revolutionize the tech world with its updated iCloud Data Protection, Apple Music Sing, Freeform, and Lock Screen enhancements. This new system of protection provides 23 categories of data that are safeguarded using end-to-end encryption – including your backup files in iCloud as well as Notes and Photos – providing you with a remarkable level of security. In addition to this impressive update, many bug fixes have been added so that you can enjoy an uninterrupted experience!

iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar cannot be backed up since they must interact with the global email, contacts, and calendar systems. However, all other major iCloud data categories are still covered.

As Apple has claimed, 14 types of sensitive data are safeguarded with end-to-end encryption as the default setting via iCloud.

In a statement, Apple’s Head of Security Engineering, Ivan Krstić said, “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.” 

This feature will shield confidential user data from any potential interference by hackers, spies, and law enforcement agencies.

Apple has recently written in a blog post, “enhanced security for users’ data in the cloud is more urgently needed than ever.” This point was further emphasized through research displaying that data breaches have multiplied to three times their original rate over just eight years.

The new feature is available in the US and starts getting distributed around the world in early 2023.

How to Set It Up?

1. Update your iPhone

The new iOS 16.2 needs to be installed before users can opt into it. To do so, go to Settings, General, and then Software Update

2. Go to iCloud in Settings

After you update to the latest version, head back into settings and check out the new iCloud data protection feature.

3. Set up Advanced Data Protection

Select Account Recovery or Advanced Data Protection. Then select Set Up Account Recovery

4. Add a recovery contact

Apple suggests choosing a trusted person to help you regain access to your account. You’ll be asked to send a message to that contact, who will have to approve the request.

5. Add a recovery key (alternative)

If you do not want to trust someone else with your iCloud data, be sure to set up and verify a 28-character-long, complex password.

6. Enter your iPhone password

Enter your iPhone password in order to enable Advanced Data Protection.