CALIFORNIA: Google and Apple have said that they are hardening encryption tactics on devices powered by their mobile operating systems and tossing away the keys.
The move should mean that even the government with its court-issued warrants will be blocked from getting hold of pictures, messages and other personal data stored on forthcoming Android or Apple smartphones and tablets.
Google and Apple are among Internet titans intent on firming up trust shaken by revelations of massive online spying by US officials and by the recent hacking of celebrity iCloud accounts that exposed nude photos.
A Google spokesman has said that encryption is already offered for the Android system on smartphones and tablets, but will be turned on automatically in the upcoming version of software. Apple announced that its new encryption is built into the iOS 8 operating system available on the iPhone 6, which goes on sale Friday. It also can be installed on many existing iPhones and iPads.
