According to 9to5Mac, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has launched a new public campaign called “Encrypt It Already” targeting major tech companies. The campaign specifically calls out Meta, Apple, Google, Bluesky, Telegram, and Ring, urging them to expand end-to-end encryption across their products. For Apple, the EFF demands end-to-end encryption by default for all iCloud data and for the company to block AI agents from accessing encrypted messaging apps. This follows a recent warning from Signal President Meredith Whittaker about AI privacy risks. Notably, recent iOS 26.3 beta changes show Apple is already working on end-to-end encryption for RCS messages in the Messages app, a feature both Apple and Google committed to after the GSM Association standardized it in March.
The EFF’s big ask
Here’s the thing: the EFF isn’t just asking for a new feature. They’re demanding a fundamental shift in how these companies, especially giants like Apple, treat user data by default. Asking Apple to encrypt all iCloud data end-to-end is a huge deal. Right now, things like iCloud backups, Photos, and Notes aren’t fully encrypted, which means Apple can technically access them if compelled. Making that the default would be a massive privacy win, but it’s also a huge operational change that complicates things like data recovery and law enforcement requests. And that request to block AI agents? That’s prescient. As companies rush to integrate AI into everything, the idea of an “AI assistant” having a backdoor into your iMessages is a legitimate nightmare scenario for security folks.
Apple’s mixed signals
So, is Apple listening? Well, sort of. The RCS encryption work in the latest iOS beta is a direct response to one of the broader industry calls for better standards. It shows they’re moving on the messaging front, which has been a long-standing criticism. But iCloud is a different beast entirely. Apple has walked a careful line for years, promoting privacy as a core value while maintaining certain iCloud data in a way that’s accessible. Flipping that switch globally is a monumental decision. The pressure from a respected org like the EFF, combined with the looming specter of AI privacy messes, might just be the push needed. But I think it’s going to be a slow, careful turn, not a sudden flip.
Why this matters to you
Look, most users don’t think about encryption settings. They just use the product. That’s exactly why defaults are so powerful. If stronger privacy is the out-of-the-box experience, billions of people are protected without having to dig through settings menus. This campaign is basically about building a higher floor for privacy across the entire tech ecosystem. When the EFF puts Apple on this list, it’s a reminder that even the company that markets itself on privacy has room to improve. For enterprises and developers, stronger defaults mean less risk and more trust. And for regular users? It means your photos, messages, and backups are just safer, full stop. The question is, how long will it take for these companies to actually do it?
