Latest news with #AdvancedDataProtection
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WhatsApp tells BBC it backs Apple in legal row with UK over user data
WhatsApp has told the BBC it is supporting Apple in its legal fight against the UK Home Office over user data privacy. The messaging app's boss, Will Cathcart, said the case "could set a dangerous precedent" by "emboldening other nations" to seek to break encryption, which is how tech firms keep their users' data private. Apple went to the courts after receiving a notice from the Home Office earlier this year demanding the right to access the data of its global customers if required in the interests of national security. It and other critics of the government's position say the request compromises the privacy of millions of users. The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment. It has previously declined to comment directly on the Apple case. But it has told the BBC the government's "first priority" is "to keep people safe" and the UK has a "longstanding position of protecting our citizens from the very worst crimes, such as child sex abuse and terrorism, at the same time as protecting people's privacy." WhatsApp has applied to submit evidence to the court which is hearing Apple's bid to have the Home Office request overturned. Mr Cathcart said: "WhatsApp would challenge any law or government request that seeks to weaken the encryption of our services and will continue to stand up for people's right to a private conversation online." This intervention from the Meta-owned platform represents a major escalation in what was an already extremely high-profile and awkward dispute between the UK and the US. Apple's row with the UK government erupted in February, when it emerged ministers were seeking the right to be able to access information secured by its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) system. The argument intensified in the weeks that followed, with Apple first pulling ADP in the UK, and then taking legal action against the Home Office. It also sparked outrage among US politicians, with some saying it was a "dangerous attack on US cybersecurity" and urging the US government to rethink its intelligence-sharing arrangements with the UK if the notice was not withdrawn. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of US National Intelligence, described it as an "egregious violation" of US citizens' privacy. Civil liberties groups also attacked the UK government, saying what it was demanding had privacy and security implications for people around the world. Apple's ADP applies end-to-encryption (E2EE) to files such as photos and notes stored on the iCloud, meaning only the user has the "key" required to view them. The same technology protects a number of messaging services, including WhatsApp. That makes them very secure but poses a problem for law enforcement agencies. They can ask to see data with lower levels of protection - if they have a court warrant - but tech firms currently have no way to provide access to E2EE files, because no such mechanism currently exists. Tech companies have traditionally resisted creating such a mechanism not just because they say it would compromise users' privacy but because there would be no way of preventing it eventually being exploited by criminals. In 2023, WhatsApp said it would rather be blocked as a service than weaken E2EE. When Apple pulled ADP in the UK it said it did not want to create a "backdoor" that "bad actors" could take advantage of. Further complicating the argument around the Home Office's request is that it is made under the Investigatory Powers Act, the provisions of which are often secret. When the matter came to court, government lawyers argued that the case should not be made in public in any way for national security reasons. However, in April, a judge agreed with a number of news organisations, including the BBC, and said certain details should be made public. "It would have been a truly extraordinary step to conduct a hearing entirely in secret without any public revelation of the fact that a hearing was taking place," his ruling stated. At the time, the government declined to comment on the proceedings but said: "The UK has robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and privacy is only impacted on an exceptional basis, in relation to the most serious crimes and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so." What Apple pulling Advanced Data Protection means for you Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Google's Surprising Update—Make Your Pixel More Like iPhone
Pixel is suddenly more like iPhone Google is narrowing the security and privacy gap between Android and iPhone, with Pixel the unbeatable front-runner when it comes those new features. Now users are reporting the best update yet — it's a single click but it completely changes your phone. We're talking Android 16's game-changing Advanced Data Protection, which locks down Android in an iPhone-like manner preventing any apps being installed from outside Play Store, still Android's biggest security and privacy vulnerability. This wasn't expected in beta, and so will surprise users seeing this new setting now. The new mode also stops users connecting to dangerous networks, enforces safe browsing and enables the new scam and fraud defenses that Google is rolling out. Per Android Authority, Google is now 'letting Android 16 testers try Advanced Protection mode for maximum phone security,' helping users who enable the new setting 'secure your phone from outside threats, even yourself, in one click.' Google says this new mode provides its 'strongest protections against targeted attacks,' advising that it's for 'users who need heightened security.' But in my view it's much more widely applicable and adds sensible precautions for everyday users, especially those with less expertise who would welcome the reassurance. In short, it turns a Pixel and eventually other Androids into something more akin to an iPhone. New security mode is now available. Android is also moving ahead of iPhone with it's new Intrusion Detection feature, which in an 'industry-first,' Google says, 'securely backs up device logs in a privacy-preserving and tamper-resistant way, accessible only to the user. These logs enable a forensic analysis if a device compromise is ever suspected.' You cannot tweak Google's new security mode, it's either on or off. It's disabled by default, but I'd recommend you enable it when it's available to you. Either in beta now or in the stable Android 16 release which is expected from next month. As Android Authority says, 'it's like a security blanket that aims to make sure your device is safe from known threats, like no sideloading, USB data access, and more.' Google says there will be more to come: 'We are committed to continuously expanding the security and privacy capabilities within Advanced Protection, so users can benefit from the best of Android's powerful security features.' That includes an API enabling third-party apps to shore up their own security when this is enabled.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
US lawmakers criticise UK backdoor order to Apple, warn of cybercriminal risks
An Apple logo is seen at the entrance of an Apple Store in downtown Brussels, Belgium March 10, 2016. REUTERS/Yves Herman BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast warned Britain on Wednesday that its order to Apple to create a backdoor to its encrypted user data could be exploited by cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes. Apple, which has said it would never build a so-called back door into its encrypted services or devices, has challenged the order at the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). The iPhone maker withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature for UK users in February following the UK order. Users of Apple's iPhones, Macs and other devices can enable the feature to ensure that only they — and not even Apple — can unlock data stored on its cloud. "Creating a backdoor into end-to-end encrypted systems, as the TCN does, introduces systemic vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors, including cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes," Jordan and Mast wrote in a joint letter to Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. TCN (Technical Capability Notice) refers to the UK order. "These vulnerabilities would not only affect UK users but also American citizens and others worldwide, given the global nature of Apple's services," they said. They urged Cooper to allow Apple to disclose the existence of the order to the U.S. Department of Justice so it can evaluate whether it complies with the U.S.-UK agreement made under the CLOUD Act which prohibits orders requiring companies to decrypt data. Under UK laws, American companies would commit a criminal offence if they disclose or confirm such an order, even to their home government. "We urge the Home Office to reconsider the issuance of TCNs that require the weakening of encryption, as such measures conflict with international human rights standards, including the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that undermining encryption violates privacy rights," the lawmakers said. Britain's Home Office has said a warrant would be needed for any individual's data to be accessed. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Richard Chang)
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US lawmakers criticise UK backdoor order to Apple, warn of cybercriminal risks
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) -U.S. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast warned Britain on Wednesday that its order to Apple to create a backdoor to its encrypted user data could be exploited by cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes. Apple, which has said it would never build a so-called back door into its encrypted services or devices, has challenged the order at the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). The iPhone maker withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature for UK users in February following the UK order. Users of Apple's iPhones, Macs and other devices can enable the feature to ensure that only they — and not even Apple — can unlock data stored on its cloud. "Creating a backdoor into end-to-end encrypted systems, as the TCN does, introduces systemic vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors, including cybercriminals and authoritarian regimes," Jordan and Mast wrote in a joint letter to Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. TCN (Technical Capability Notice) refers to the UK order. "These vulnerabilities would not only affect UK users but also American citizens and others worldwide, given the global nature of Apple's services," they said. They urged Cooper to allow Apple to disclose the existence of the order to the U.S. Department of Justice so it can evaluate whether it complies with the U.S.-UK agreement made under the CLOUD Act which prohibits orders requiring companies to decrypt data. Under UK laws, American companies would commit a criminal offence if they disclose or confirm such an order, even to their home government. "We urge the Home Office to reconsider the issuance of TCNs that require the weakening of encryption, as such measures conflict with international human rights standards, including the European Court of Human Rights' ruling that undermining encryption violates privacy rights," the lawmakers said. Britain's Home Office has said a warrant would be needed for any individual's data to be accessed. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Richard Chang)
Associated Press
29-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GhangorCloud Announces Partnership with Array Networks to Defend Enterprises Against Malicious Insider/Outsider Attacks
Application Delivery Networking Leader Teams with GhangorCloud to Strengthen Security Readiness SAN JOSE, CA, UNITED STATES, April 29, 2025 / / -- GhangorCloud, a leading provider of intelligent information security and data privacy compliance enforcement solutions, today announced it has established an OEM partnership with Array Networks to bundle its 4th generation Advanced Data Protection platform with Array's security offerings. Through the partnership, Array Networks gains access to powerful cybersecurity capabilities, including automated data classification and policy enforcement, identity and role-based access control, real-time monitoring and incident response, and compliance and regulatory support. GhangorCloud is a leading innovator that has rapidly gained adoption as users seek to counter advanced cyberthreats. The company experienced significant business momentum in 2024 with a 45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) year-over-year and has expanded its global footprint, attracting customers across North America, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific regions. Most notably, GhangorCloud has secured new marquee clients, including Fortune 500 companies, underscoring its position as a trusted provider of advanced cyber security solutions. To celebrate the company's market success, GhangorCloud will re-brand as GC Cybersecurity in Q2. GhangorCloud's 4th Generation Advanced Data Protection solution, delivered through its Information Security Enforcer (ISE) platform, introduces a next-generation architecture for protecting sensitive data across applications in hybrid and cloud environments. Leveraging patented AI-driven data classification and policy automation, the system identifies and classifies sensitive information in real-time and without manual intervention. It then enforces context-aware access controls based on user identity, role, and intent. The Advanced Data Protection solution monitors data flows at granular levels, enabling dynamic enforcement of security policies and preventing unauthorized transmissions or exfiltration events. 'We're committed to delivering best-in-class performance and security for modern enterprise infrastructures,' said Array Networks' CEO, Joe Hwang. 'By deploying GhangorCloud's 4th Generation Advanced Data Protection technology at our customers' sites, we are elevating our capabilities to a much more robust standard. GhangorCloud's powerful suite of capabilities provide the precision and automation necessary to protect against critical threats, so this partnership not only strengthens our cybersecurity posture but also empowers our customers to meet complex data compliance and privacy mandates with confidence.' 'This marks a milestone in expanding the reach and impact of our award-winning Advanced Data Protection technology,' said Tarique Mustafa, Founder, CEO and CTO of GhangorCloud, Inc. By aligning with a proven leader in application delivery networking, we're not only enhancing enterprise security outcomes but accelerating the growth of our global partner ecosystem. The collaboration exemplifies our strategy to work with world-class technology providers to deliver integrated, high-performance security solutions at scale, propelling our business momentum and enabling broader adoption across industries and geographies.' Visit GhangorCloud (AKA: GC Cybersecurity) at the 2025 RSA Conference in San Francisco, from April 28th – May 1st in booth #5181. Tweet this: GhangorCloud Announces OEM Partnership with Array Networks to Defend Enterprises Against Malicious Insider and Outsider Attacks #Informationsecurity #Dataprivacycompliance #Compliance #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #eDiscovery #Dataclassification About GhangorCloud Headquartered in Silicon Valley, GhangorCloud (now GC Cybersecurity) is a leading provider of intelligent information security and data privacy compliance enforcement solutions. GhangorCloud's Information Security and Consumer Compliance solutions protect data based on its contextual and conceptual significance, using a powerful policy engine and security algorithms to identify, classify, and protect large volumes of information in real-time with unprecedented accuracy. The company is founded by Silicon Valley security veterans Tarique Mustafa and Bhanu Panda, and is backed by a team, board and advisors that include leading authorities from companies like Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro, Cisco, Juniper, Alteon and Array Networks. For more information, see Joe Austin email us here Public Relations Visit us on social media: LinkedIn YouTube X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
