Apple says it has end-to-end encryption for iMessage and FaceTime communications, but users should not interpret that as providing an ironclad defense against government snooping.

Apple made the disclosure late Sunday in releasing the number of user-information requests made by U.S. authorities, including intelligence agencies, from December through May. In releasing the figures, Apple joined Facebook, Google and Microsoft, which have taken similar steps to ease customers' privacy concerns.

The link for this article located at CSO Online is no longer available.