The moves comes after Apple reportedly dropped plans to encrypt iCloud backups following a complaint from the FBI.
Apple is fulfilling a long-time privacy request by expanding the end-to-end encryption found in iMessage to a variety of other data types, including iCloud backups, Photos, and Notes.
The end-to-end encryption is arriving through an opt-in feature called “Advanced Data Protection,” which is available to US users today through Apple’s Beta software program.
Once enabled, the end-to-end encryption means not even Apple can access most of your iCloud content. Instead, only your enrolled devices—which contain the required encryption keys—will be able to access the information. Hence, hackers and even law enforcement will be prevented from reading the data unless they can physically steal your smartphone or laptop.
“For users who opt in, Advanced Data Protection keeps most iCloud data protected even in the case of a data breach in the cloud,” Apple adds. New Advanced Data Protection Types
According to a support document, new data types that can be protected with the feature include:
iCloud Backup
iCloud Drive
Photos
Notes
Reminders
Safari Bookmarks
Siri Shortcuts
Voice Memos
Wallet Passes
On iCloud, the end-to-end encryption was previously only available to data types pertaining to your health information, credit card payments, Safari browser history, and passwords, among others. However, Apple had refrained from bringing the encryption to iCloud, Photos and Notes, which can contain plenty of other personal information on a user.
