Two-factor authentication will be introduced by Apple to add an extra layer to its protection against hackers trying access information in consumers’ accounts.
No African countries are included in the first rollout stage though.
Twitter is reportedly also working on a two-factor system which would include a mobile phone verification requirement rather than the single-password system currently in use.
Google’s Gmail already uses two-factor authentication and Apple’s introduction includes its iCloud services which has more than 250 million users.
Apple said: “Apple takes customer privacy very seriously, and two-step verification is an even more robust process to ensure our users’ data remains protected.
“We are now offering our users the choice to take advantage of this additional layer of security.”
The service will only be available in the US, UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand initially.
