Apple turns off advanced data protection for UK users after refusing Home Office demand for a ‘back door’ into iCloud

Apple is furious that itr has been forced with withdraw its Advanced Data Protection system from iPhones and other Apple products in the UK, stating that it is “gravely disappointed” by the development.

The tech giant confirmed that its opt-in Advanced Data Protection would no longer be available to users in the UK, citing concerns over potential government pressures to weaken encryption.

The government demanded a back door into iCloud data, but Apple refused and decided to turn the service off entirely.

The demand was served by the Home Office under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which compels firms to provide information to law enforcement agencies.

Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) is an optional feature that extends end-to-end encryption to various iCloud data categories, including photos, documents, and messages.

This means that only the user can access this data; not even Apple has the decryption keys. However, due to a demand from the UK government under the Investigatory Powers Act, Apple has decided to remove ADP for UK customers.

This action requires Apple to provide access to user data upon request, effectively disabling end-to-end encryption for iCloud data in the UK. As a result, data stored in iCloud by UK users will now be accessible by Apple and potentially shareable with law enforcement agencies when legally required. 

“As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will,” Apple reiterated in a statement issued two hours ago. 

The controversy comes amid ongoing tensions between Apple and UK authorities over privacy and security regulations. While the specifics of the security feature’s removal remain unclear, speculation suggests it may be linked to the UK’s Online Safety Act, which has raised concerns about potential government access to encrypted communications.

Warning

Privacy advocates and tech industry experts have warned that any move to weaken encryption could undermine user security and set a dangerous precedent. Apple has consistently defended its commitment to end-to-end encryption, arguing that any compromise would leave users vulnerable to cyber threats and mass surveillance. 

The UK government has previously insisted that its proposed regulations are designed to tackle online crime, particularly child exploitation and terrorism, without infringing on privacy rights. However, tech companies like Apple and messaging platform WhatsApp have warned that compliance with such regulations could lead to fundamental security risks. 

Apple has not specified whether it plans to take further action in response to the UK’s demands, but the company’s strong wording suggests a deepening rift between Big Tech and regulators over digital privacy. 

This latest development raises fresh questions about the future of encrypted services in the UK and whether other companies will follow Apple’s lead in resisting government pressures to alter their security protocols.