Apple has removed its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for iCloud data in the United Kingdom following a government order demanding backdoor access to encrypted user data.
The UK government issued a technical capability notice under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, requiring Apple to provide access to encrypted iCloud data, which would have compromised the end-to-end encryption for users worldwide.
Apple has disabled ADP for new users in the UK and will eventually require existing users to disable it manually.
This move affects iCloud data such as photos, notes, messages, and device backups, but does not impact iMessage, FaceTime, password management, and health data, which remain end-to-end encrypted.
Apple has stated that it is "gravely disappointed" and remains committed to offering the highest level of security for users' personal data.
In a statement by Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz said the company’s Advanced Data Protection feature will no longer be available to new users and current U.K. users “will eventually need to disable this security feature.”
“We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the U.K. given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy,” the company said. “Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before."
The UK government's demand is controversial, as it would have provided access to data from users worldwide without their knowledge or consent
Privacy advocates and tech experts have criticized the UK government's actions, noting that the move undermines user privacy and security
