Apple has retracted its Advanced Data Protection feature for customers in the UK, amid a dispute over a government order demanding backdoor access to user data.
This security feature provided end-to-end encryption for files and backups stored in iCloud, ensuring that only the user could access their data. However, UK users will no longer have access to this level of protection due to escalating tensions between Apple and the UK government. Reports indicate that the government’s demands involved unrestricted access to users’ encrypted iCloud data.
In lieu of complying with these demands, Apple has completely withdrawn the Advanced Data Protection tool. The company stated, “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.”
Apple’s choice to remove this critical feature leaves UK users’ data more exposed. By opting out rather than acquiescing to government oversight, Apple emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding user privacy. The company further expressed its hope to restore the highest level of data security for users in the future.
Privacy advocates have commended Apple’s decision, viewing it as a rejection of what they perceive as an intrusive law that could set a troubling precedent. “Encryption is not a luxury – it is a fundamental human right essential to a free society that also happens to underpin the global economy,” remarked a prominent privacy advocate.
Despite this, the forced response to the UK government’s demands has raised concerns among users regarding the security of their private data. Some users are questioning whether this situation could lead to potential breaches of trust, especially since privacy protection has been a cornerstone of Apple’s offerings.
Apple’s history reflects a commitment to fighting government overreach concerning user data. In numerous instances, the company has resisted law enforcement requests to unlock iPhones, notably in high-profile cases involving suspected mass shooters.
Advanced Data Protection was first introduced in 2022 as an optional enhancement to Apple’s cloud security. While iMessage, passwords, and health data continue to be securely encrypted, the absence of this feature leaves UK users without the highest level of protection available. Apple has indicated that users will have a “grace period to comply” with these changes and continues to prioritize user privacy above external pressures.
