Two major new features in macOS Ventura 13.1 include enhanced iCloud encryption via Advanced Data Protection and Apple's new Freeform app.
macOS Ventura 13.1 brings expanded iCloud encryption and the Freeform app
Encryption
For security reasons, you can’t turn on stronger iCloud encryption from a new device right away
Apple has a good reason to stop you from enabling enhanced iCloud encryption, called Advanced Data Protection, on a new device right away.
Facebook Messenger is expanding end-to-end encryption to more people
Facebook Messenger supports end-to-end encrypted, but it's off by default. Meta's now made the feature available to more people ahead of a global rollout.
Notice more battery drain while using a VPN? Here’s why…
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) adds a middleman between you and the end server in an internet connection, acting as a relay that helps enhance your privacy. It does this by cloaking your real location, and in many cases, encrypting your internet traffic to prevent snoopers from seeing what you’re doing as you browse the web.
How to switch on end-to-end encryption for your WhatsApp backups
Follow these steps to enable end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp backup to boost your security by keeping your chat logs and media backups stored in the cloud private.
WhatsApp has begun testing end-to-end encrypted iCloud backups
The Facebook-owned WhatsApp messaging service is now testing end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups. The feature was designed to protect your chat archive while it's being uploaded to or downloaded from iCloud and stored on Apple's servers (at rest).
Your synced Safari bookmarks are now end-to-end encrypted [update: removed]
Apple has boosted the security and privacy of iCloud services further by switching end-to-end encryption for Safari bookmarks, preventing anyone but you from accessing them.
WhatsApp is working on password-protected encrypted iCloud backups
Your WhatsApp chats saved in iCloud could be read and shared with authorities when lawfully requested. That might change soon as the Facebook-owned messaging service has been working on a new privacy feature that would protect these iCloud backups with encryption.
WhatsApp publishes a FAQ to address privacy concerns relating to Facebook integration
WhatsApp's recent announcement of the new, required data sharing with Facebook has attracted government scrutiny in Turkey, provoked outrage on social media and earned the secure messaging app Signal lots of new users. But now, WhatsApp is firing back with a FAQ that's meant to assuage any privacy concerns that people may have been having lately.
Secure messaging app Telegram introduces end-to-end encrypted video calling
Secure messaging app Telegram has introduced video calling with end-to-end encryption that prevents eavesdropping, increasing pressure on Zoom, Apple's FaceTime and similar services.
iOS 13.4.1 may drop this week packing a host of patches, including one for a nasty VPN bug
According to a new report, Apple may release a small iOS 13.4.1 update later this week to squish a nasty bug on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch that has caused data and IP addresses in virtual private networks (VPN) to be exposed.
Editor’s Desk: Apple’s changing encryption story, patient data access
A news story at the beginning of the week shows a very changing position for Apple, which has focused for years on customer data access freedom and privacy but appears to have changed its tune when it comes to encryption. There's also news from the electronic medical records (EMR) industry, which may get shaken up this year thanks to new rules imposed by a federal government agency that oversees how medical records are maintained.