Apple introduces Advanced Data Protection feature for iCloud

Apple Inc AAPL introduced the Advanced Data Protection feature for its iCloud service to provide end-to- end encryption for user data such as documents and photos on Wednesday.

What Happened: The Tim Cook-led company said in a statement that it was introducing the feature and two others, aimed at protecting users against threats in the cloud, in an effort to provide users with stronger ways to protect their data. Apple is preparing to introduce iMessage Contact Key Verification and Security Keys as other mechanisms to bolster cloud security.

Users that enable its advanced data protection feature will be protected with encryption across 23 data categories, including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos.

The feature will be available to US users by the end of the year. See also: Best Blue Chip Dividend Stocks By Past Performance

Why it matters: Apple said that iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar won't be covered by encryption because of the need to interoperate with the global email, contacts, and calendar systems. For those who opt in for Security Keys, Apple s two-factor authentication would be strengthened by requiring a hardware security key as one of the two factors.

After checking in with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Apple scrapped its plans to fully encrypt backup data in iCloud.

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