Edward Snowden (Photo : Reuters)
Former National Security Agency contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden recently published an article that gives praise to the security measures made by Apple in its iOS 8 operating system.
In his article published in the New York Times, Snowden recounted his experience while working on the revelations about the surveillance protocols made by the National Security Agency. He also wrote that countering mass surveillance has crossed political borders and is now making headways in the technological world.
Snowden pointed out that advancements in terms of device security as well as Internet protocols has played a significant role in closing the loopholes exploited by government agencies in snooping information from private individuals without their consent.
Snowden wrote, "Basic technical safeguards such as encryption - once considered esoteric and unnecessary - are now enabled by default in the products of pioneering companies like Apple, ensuring that even if your phone is stolen, your private life remains private."
According to Apple Insider, Apple's decision to upgrade its security features in the iOS 8 was received with negative criticism from intelligence communities including various United States government officials.
The iOS 8 security features automatically encrypts data stored in the iPhone and iPad devices. What gives this protocol another layer of security is the fact that Apple has no access to all the encryption keys which means that the company cannot produce any data stored on their own devices even if issued by a warrant from a government agency.
Snowden also leaked a document that revealed the actions made by the Central Intelligence Agency in order to bypass security measures provided by iOS, OSX, BitLocker and other encryption software.
The recent article written by Snowden was met with mixed reactions. Some look up to him as a champion of Internet privacy while other label him as a traitor to his own country.
