Apple announces new security measures for iMessage, Apple ID and iCloud

Apple announces new security features coming this and next year. These include iMessage public key notifications, Apple ID hardware security keys and end-to-end encryption for more iCloud data.

iMessage Contact Key Verification

iMessage will now notify when your contact’s public key is changed (which could be a result of unwanted new device being added to the account). With this feature it will be easier to catch the moment when somebody is eavesdropping on the conversation.

This feature to become generally available in 2023 worldwide.

Security Keys for Apple ID

Apple will provide support for hardware security keys for Apple ID authentication. This might provide extra security measure for those who need better protection for their data.

This feature will be available in early 2023 worldwide.

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

Apple adds end-to-end encryption to more iCloud data types, including Notes and iCloud Backups. Major data types not yet covered by end-to-end encryption are Mail, Contacts and Calendars.

Notable, data protection for iCloud is opt-on feature, so users have to enable it themselves.

This feature is available in the US today in beta, and should be available for general users in US later in 2022. Worldwide rollout is expected in early 2023. 

Apple Newsroom: Apple advances user security with powerful new data protections