American electronics and technology giant Apple has urged internet and communication users to increasingly adopt end-to-end encryption to enhance online security
This recommendation follows a company-commissioned study revealing escalating risks of communication and data breaches in recent times.
According to Apple, an independent study has shown a substantial rise in threats to user data stored on cloud computing services over the past year. The study points to an increase in hacking incidents targeting cloud computing platforms and other services. These cyberattacks allow hackers to access user files stored on these platforms.
End-to-end encryption for files stored on cloud servers means that access to and viewing of these files is restricted solely to individuals specified by the file owner.
This ensures that neither the cloud service provider nor hackers who gain access to the servers can view the encrypted files. Apple emphasizes that end-to-end encryption is the best possible method for protecting cloud data.
Apple, which has started offering end-to-end encryption for files stored on its iCloud service, has long promoted itself as a leader in data and communication security.
This stance positions Apple in contrast to competitors like Google, which runs one of the largest online advertising platforms and relies on user data collection.
However, Apple acknowledges the challenges in implementing end-to-end encryption for services like email, contact lists, or calendar data. The original protocols of these services do not support this feature without breaking general compatibility across various services and providers.