Apple has enabled end-to-end encryption for Safari bookmarks stored in iCloud, further expanding the type of user data the company fully encrypts. In this way the Cupertino company focuses on offer the highest level of privacy and data protection.
Apple extends end-to-end encryption to Safari bookmarks in iCloud
Spotted on Reddit, an update to the page “ICloud Security Overview” Apple indicated that in addition to Safari’s tabs and history, Safari bookmarks are now end-to-end encrypted. Which means that no one, not even Apple, can access users’ saved Safari bookmarks.
Based on when the page in question was updated, Apple likely made this change with the release of iOS and iPad 15. Apple did not respond to MacRumors’ request for comment, so we have to rely on assumptions arising from the analysis of Apple’s website. Unfortunately, the Italian page dedicated to iCloud security has yet to be updated. The latest version is from April last year, but Apple will likely update all pages in the coming weeks.
As Safari bookmarks now add to end-to-end encrypted items, it’s worth noting what remains unencrypted end-to-end. THE backup iCloud, for example, they are only protected using 128-bit AES encryption, along with Photos, Reminders, Notes and more. In recent months, Apple has come under pressure to make iCloud Photos and iCloud backups fully end-to-end encrypted, but the company has yet to make those changes.
It is important that Apple switches to end-to-end encryption for these elements as well, certainly much more important to protect than the bookmarks present on Safari. We think, however, that the company has made this update as it is much simpler than iCloud Photos and backups, which it would be working on. All that remains is to wait for news from the Cupertino giant, in the meantime, however, we can enjoy the E2E encryption in Safari bookmarks.