Apple's iOS 8 is so secure, even the police can't get hold of your details, Tim Cooke says
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Alongside the new keyboards, messaging tools and photo features of iOS 8, Apple has also updated the software's security features.
In an open letter to customers, Apple's chief executive Tim Cook announced the firm has changed the way encryption works in iOS 8.
As a result the company can no longer bypass a user's passcode, making it impossible for it to hand over data to law enforcement officers and governments.
Apple has changed the way encryption works in iOS 8 (pictured), and as a result the company can no longer bypass a user's passcode. This makes it impossible to hand over data to law enforcement and governments and is the case even if a search warrant is served on the firm or customer
This is the case, even if a search warrant is served on the firm or customer.
These new rules, however, only apply to data stored on the device, locked by a passcode, and Apple will be able to access data stored on iCloud if presented with a warrant for it.
And because these new features only apply to iOS 8, data can be extracted where necessary on devices running older versions of the software, from iOS 4 to iOS 7, as has always been the case.
The announcement is part of a wider privacy and security push being made by Apple to protect its users.
In the letter, on Apple's new Privacy page, Mr Cook wrote:
'At Apple, your trust means everything to us.
'We're publishing this website to explain how we handle your personal information, what we do and don't collect, and why.
'A few years ago, users of internet services began to realise that when an online service is free, you're not the customer. You're the product.
'But at Apple, we believe a great customer experience shouldn't come at the expense of your privacy.'
According to the new privacy site, on devices running iOS 8, personal data including photos, messages - including attachments - email, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes, and reminders are placed under the protection of a user's passcode.
'Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data,' continued the firm.
'So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8.'
And as part of Apple's updated Legal Process Guidelines, used by the police and governments, the firm said: 'For all devices running iOS 8.0 and later versions, Apple will no longer be performing iOS data extractions as the data sought will be encrypted and Apple will not possess the encryption key.'
The announcement is part of a wider privacy push being made by Apple to protect users. In an open letter, on Apple's new Privacy site (pictured) Mr Cook wrote: 'Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data. So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to warrants from devices running iOS 8'
Mr Cook (pictured) also explained that updates about privacy will be added to the new site 'at least once a year and whenever there are significant changes to policies.' These new rules do mean that Apple's support staff will not be able to bypass a locked device if a users has forgotten the code, for example
The only files that can be provided as part of official requests, when served a search warrant, are SMS, iMessage, MMS, photos, videos, contacts, audio recording, and call history.
Apple will not provide email, calendar entries, or any third-party app data.
Mr Cook also explained that updates about privacy will be added to the new site 'at least once a year and whenever there are significant changes to our policies.'
These new rules do mean that Apple's support staff will not be able to bypass a locked device if a users has forgotten the code, for example.
The rules only apply to data stored on the device, locked by a passcode (left), and Apple will still be able to access data stored on iCloud if presented with a warrant for it. But, because these new features only apply to iOS 8, data can be extracted on devices running older versions of the software, from iOS 4 to iOS 7 (right)
Earlier this week, Apple began rolling out changes to its two-step verification process to include iCloud data. This means that when the service is enabled, iCloud users will need to enter a four-digit code, (pictured) that is sent to a separate, trusted device before getting access to files on a web browser
Apple continued: 'The most common requests we receive for information come from law enforcement in the form of either a Device Request or an Account Request.
'Our legal team carefully reviews each request, ensuring it is accompanied by valid legal process. All content requests require a search warrant.
'If we are legally compelled to divulge any information and it is not counterproductive to the facts of the case, we provide notice to the customer when allowed and deliver the narrowest set of information possible in response.'
Earlier this week, Apple began rolling out changes to its two-step verification process to include iCloud data.
This means that when the service is enabled, iCloud users will need to enter a four-digit code, that is sent to a separate, trusted device, before getting access to files on a web browser.
WHAT'S NEW IN IOS 8 - AND SHOULD YOU UPGRADE?
The search function on Apple's Photos app (pictured) has been improved to make it easier to find photos, based on location, dates or album name. Users can fine-tune edits, and the latest smart composition tools automatically straighten horizons, and crop images
PHOTOS
The search function on Apple's Photos app has been improved to make it easier to find photos, based on location, dates or album.
Users can fine-tune edits, and the latest smart composition tools automatically straighten horizons, or crop the image.
The Messages app takes on Whatsapp by letting users capture sounds to send in conversations, including voice notes, ambient sounds or music
There are also smart adjustments that modify the overall light and colour in a photo to balance exposure, brightness and contrast.
Apple has now added time-lapse video modes, accessible through the Record button on the Camera app.
MESSAGES
The Messages app in iOS 8 takes on Whatsapp by letting users capture sounds to send in conversations, including voice notes, ambient sounds or music.
To play these sounds, users can either press the Play button, or hold the device up to their ear and listen like a phone call.
The new Messages app additionally lets users send videos, start group conversations and enable Do Not Disturb to hide group notifications until a later time.
Elsewhere, users can send their location to friends, which appear on a interactive map, and send multiple photos and videos from the Camera Roll.
There is also a Snapchat-style self-destruct button for video messages.
INTERACTIVE NOTIFICATIONS
One of the stand-out features mentioned by Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, at iOS 8's unveiling in June was the Interactive Notifications tool.
This feature let users reply to texts, emails, accept calendar invites, tweet and send Facebook messages straight from the notification banner.
This means they don't have to open the specific app, or leave the app they were already using.
With iOS 8, pressing the Home button twice opens the multitasking menu.
Along the top, users will now see the faces of people they've recently talked to, and by swiping to the right, their favourite contacts. This means they can call or text these people with one tap.
And when contacts send calendar invites, for example, they can be added to the diary from the top of the screen.
One of the stand-out features of iOS 8 is Interactive Notifications (pictured). They let users reply to texts, emails, accept calendar invites, tweet and send Facebook messages straight from the notification banner. This means users don't have to open the specific app, or leave the app they were already using
QUICKTYPE
In iOS 8, Apple has added support for more third-party keyboards and improved its own keyboard to add predictive text.
In iOS 8, Apple has added support for more third-party keyboards and improved its own keyboard to add predictive text (pictured)
As a user types, they'll see a choice of words or phrases the software thinks they will type next, based on past conversations and writing style.
The software can also distinguish between informal languages uses in the Messages app, for example, and more formal language when using the Mail app.
It also adjusts the style based on the person the user is communicating with, because their choice of words is likely more laid back with a spouse than with a boss.
FAMILY SHARING
With Family Sharing, up to six people in a family can share purchases from iTunes, iBooks and the App Store without sharing accounts.
This means family purchases can be paid with the same credit card, and a child's spending has to be approved from a parent's device.
Photos and family calendars can also be shared more easily, and everyone on the account can contribute photos to shared albums, for example.
HEALTH
The new Health app on iOS 8 features a dashboard showing all the user's health and fitness data.
Apple has also created a tool for developers called HealthKit, which syncs other health and fitness apps together.
The Health app puts all heart rate, calories burned, blood sugar, and cholesterol information in one place, and blood type and allergy information can be accessed from the Lock Screen, in case of an emergency.
Apple has also improved its Spotlight tool, (pictured) which searches for files and information on the device, and the web.The app now considers the answer, and uses context to provide the most relevant choices
SPOTLIGHT
Apple has also improved its Spotlight tool, which searches for files and information on the device, and the web.
The tool now considers the answer, and uses context to provide the most relevant choices.
When searching for a person, item or term, a Wikipedia snippet will appear. The new Spotlight identifies hot topics, and knows what's trending.
And typing the name of a restaurant reveals the closest branch, including phone number and opening hours, for example, too.
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