Samsung is experiencing a mixed 2024 in terms of security. Pixel's more efficient method of providing monthly security updates has put the Korean company behind with significant delays, while at the same time, the noticeable security gap between Android and iOS tarnishes Samsung's high-end devices compared to Apple's counterparts. However, Samsung is not backing down. The new security updates announced this week are a direct challenge to iPhone in terms of innovation.

The company cautioned on Wednesday about the growing concerns regarding privacy invasion and data ownership loss. As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, our communication increasingly occurs online, often involving the sharing of sensitive and private information over the internet.

Samsung's response is smart and much needed. By adding Private Sharing to your phone's Quick Share menu, you can ensure that only designated recipients can access the files you send, with no one else having access. You can also establish permissions and expiration dates for the data, making it viewable for a limited time only.

Additionally, you can provide read-only access without the ability to reshare, revoke data access at any time, restrict screenshots, and track when the recipient received and opened the file.

Private Sharing is hereSamsung

There are some restrictions, such as a limit of 20 files at a time and a total size limit of 200MB, but all files are securely and fully encrypted when shared, thanks to blockchain-based encryption technology.

To use this feature, simply click on 'Quick Share,' then the three dots for more options, and enable Private Sharing. You can review the permissions granted at any time and revoke access if needed.

The new feature Is limited to Galaxy devices, similar to how certain Apple features are exclusive to iPhones. This distinction serves as a differentiator for Samsung among Android OEMs, particularly in light of the recent transition from Samsung Messages to Google Messages.

The sharing options available on the iPhone are generally cumbersome and significantly less user-friendly than one might anticipate. This aspect represents a significant shortcoming of iCloud, which appears to have been designed primarily as an extension of an individual user's device rather than with sharing capabilities in mind. In contrast, Samsung has introduced a solution that surpasses the iPhone in this regard, which is a welcome development.

On a different note, the other security update revealed this week closely resembles Apple's offerings. The Enhanced Data Protection feature, which includes end-to-end encryption, is akin to Apple's Advanced Data Protection—a notably smooth update for iCloud that ensures nearly all data synced to Apple's cloud remains accessible only to the user. This encompasses backups and iCloud Drive, while also providing enhanced security for cloud backups of other applications, such as WhatsApp.

Samsung’s Enhanced Protection mimics Apple’s [+]
Samsung

In response, Samsung has opted to implement a similar feature, although this replication is unlikely to cause the same level of concern among senior management as the issue with orange ultra watch straps has. The company stated, "Beginning with the Galaxy S24, Enhanced Data Protection will provide additional safeguards for Galaxy devices when syncing or backing up data with Samsung Cloud. This feature reduces the risk of data loss through end-to-end encryption (E2EE), ensuring that data can only be encrypted or decrypted on the user's device and remains inaccessible to anyone else." As with Apple, it is advisable for users to retain a recovery code, as losing access to the device without this code will result in data loss.

Similar to Apple's approach, only secured endpoints will have access to cloud data, which also implies that Samsung itself will not have access, even under legal compulsion.

In recent months, Samsung has faced criticism due to apparent delays in security updates when compared to Google's Pixel devices, raising concerns about its ability to effectively manage hardware and software in a manner similar to Apple. Notably, this week, Google has recommended that users disable 2G connectivity, a feature that is not available on Samsung devices.

On the other hand, a recent security update announced by Samsung closely resembles Apple's offerings. The Enhanced Data Protection feature, which includes end-to-end encryption, is akin to Apple's Advanced Data Protection, providing a highly efficient encryption update for iCloud. This enhancement ensures that nearly all data from iPhones synced to Apple's cloud remains accessible only to the user, encompassing backups and iCloud Drive, while also offering improved protection for cloud backups of other applications, such as WhatsApp.

However, when viewed within the broader context of Android's ongoing improvements, which include a cleanup of the Play Store and the introduction of new live threat detection features with Android 15, Samsung is poised to emerge as a significantly more competitive option against the iPhone in terms of security and privacy.

While the ability to share privately is a positive development, the most noteworthy aspect is the encrypted cloud feature. This advancement effectively transforms the cloud into a secure extension of a user's device, which I believe is essential—just as I have recommended to Apple users. I advise enabling this feature as soon as it becomes available.