Apple Announces Increased User Security with iCloud Plus

If there’s one company that prioritizes your security and privacy above all else, it’s Apple. The tech giant has been known to protect their user’s data by any means necessary and they just announced several new features to enhance just that. On Monday at their annual WWDC event, Apple introduced several new services which they are calling iCloud Plus. This will include Private Relay, Hide My Email, and additional HomeKit security footage storage.

iCloud Plus includes access to Private Relay, a VPN-type service, to assist with disguising where your browsing data is coming from. To the average consumer, this may not be exciting news, but for business owners who heavily rely on their iPhones to communicate company-related data to their employees, this is a huge asset.

For us regular everyday users, this next piece is a gift. Apple will now give us the ability to create single-use burner email addresses that will forward to our preferred email through their new Hide My Email feature. In cases where you might have to temporarily communicate with a stranger to sell them something or things of that nature, this will definitely come in handy.

In addition, users will now have access to unlimited storage for their HomeKit compatible security cameras to those who are signed up to a 200GB or higher iCloud plan. Apple was rather vague about the additional updates to the HomeKit services, but it is expected that more information will come at a later date.

Although it is a touchy subject, many have wondered if there would ever be anything put in place to allow someone to access a person’s phone when they pass away. There will now be a new option rolling out called Digital Legacy that will allow you to choose who can have access to your personal data if something were to happen to you. At first thought, it might seem a bit intrusive, but there are many instances where there could be vital information on one’s device.

All in all, these are great updates to an already airtight security system that Apple has come to be known for over the years. And the best part? All of this comes with no additional price increase. It’s safe to say consumers deserve this as a way to make up for the company deciding to remove EarPods and charger blocks from the new iPhone boxes.

This article was written by Chalice Williams for BackstageOL.