New Apple security measures concern the FBI but should reassure consumers

The new opt-in features protect user data, messages, and photos and signal a positive change in how big tech companies approach consumer privacy, says cryptography expert Matt Green. A person taps their iPhone For years, Apple has protected users' health data, passwords, credit card, and other payment info on iCloud through end-to-end encryption, which prevents third parties from accessing data while it is being transferred from one end system or device to another. But users' photos, notes, and iCloud backup remained unencrypted and thus, vulnerable to anyone able to gain access to iCloud. That changed last week, when Apple announced Advanced Data Protection for iCloud , which the company says will bring the highest level of security to more sensitive information and data stored on iCloud. Matthew Green , a nationally recognized cryptography expert and associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute and the Whiting School of Engineering's Department of Computer Science , hailed the move and sat down with the Hub to discuss its implications. Why is it a big deal that Apple is introducing new data protection for users?. Apple has spent years building the infrastructure needed to enable end-to-end backup for iCloud.