It’s the digital security training team at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), with security news that keeps you, your sources, and your devices safe. If someone shared this newsletter with you, please subscribe here.
End-to-end encrypted iCloud is done in the U.K.
Following reports of U.K. government demands for Apple to grant “global” access to end-to-end encrypted iCloud files, the company is removing this feature in the region. For users who have already enabled the feature, Advanced Data Protection, the company says they will have more guidance on disabling it soon. Read more.
What you can do
- This doesn’t solve Apple’s dilemma, nor does it solve the problem for the U.K. government — it just seems like a compromise Apple is making in the hopes of de-escalating government demands, and citizens’ security is impaired in the process. We might not be done with this yet, so we’ll be watching this space and encourage you to monitor it as well.
- This is a reminder to Apple users beyond the U.K. to enable Advanced Data Protection to take advantage of end-to-end encryption for the files you upload to iCloud, particularly if you have any sensitive reporting materials or source contact information on your devices. The more people use it, the harder it is to justify shutting it down. Learn how here.
- Read our former intern Kevin Pham's post on Advanced Data Protection to learn more about this valuable feature.
- While you’re at it, whether or not you live in Tim Cook’s domain, check out our other resources on how to secure your conversations.
Updates from our team
- Our friends at the ACOS Alliance invite applications for its first U.S.-based Editor Safety Cohort training program. If interested, apply here by the end of day (Eastern time) on March 9.
Our team is always ready to assist journalists with digital security concerns. Reach out here, and stay safe and secure out there.
Best,
Martin
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Martin Shelton
Deputy Director of Digital Security
Freedom of the Press Foundation
