Apple is making a significant move by discontinuing its highest-level data security feature, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), for users in the UK following government demands for access to user data.
ADP, which employs end-to-end encryption, ensures that only account holders can access stored items such as documents and photos. Under this system, even Apple cannot retrieve the encrypted data. However, earlier this month, the UK government sought the ability to access such data, prompting Apple to take action.
The tech giant has consistently opposed weakening encryption or creating “backdoors,” warning that such vulnerabilities could eventually be exploited by malicious actors. As a result, Apple has now decided that ADP can no longer be activated by users in the UK, ultimately affecting the security of iCloud data stored by British customers.
Standard encryption, which remains in place, allows Apple to access data when required by law enforcement with a proper warrant. The UK’s Home Office declined to confirm or deny the existence of any official requests regarding ADP, stating that they do not comment on operational matters.
Apple expressed deep disappointment over the development, emphasising its stance against compromising security. “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will,” the company stated.
Encryption and Its Impact
ADP was an optional feature requiring users to actively enable it. Since Friday at 1500 GMT, UK-based Apple users attempting to activate it have encountered an error message. Existing users will also have their access revoked at a future date.
The exact number of UK customers who adopted ADP since its launch in December 2022 remains unknown. Cybersecurity expert Professor Alan Woodward of the University of Surrey described the government’s move as “an act of self-harm,” arguing that it weakens online security and privacy for UK users. He criticises the idea that Britain could dictate security policies for major U.S. technology firms.
Privacy expert Caro Robson noted that Apple’s decision to remove the feature rather than comply with government demands was “unprecedented.” She expressed concern that it might set a precedent for other tech companies to follow.
Bruce Daisley, a former senior executive at X (formerly Twitter), told BBC Radio 4 that Apple viewed the issue as a matter of principle, believing that conceding to the UK’s demands could lead to similar pressures from governments worldwide.
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The UK Government’s Stance
The request for data access was issued under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which mandates that companies provide information to law enforcement when required. While Apple and the Home Office did not directly comment on the notice, multiple sources confirmed its existence to media outlets.
Privacy advocates condemned the move, calling it an attack on individual rights. Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, warned that a UK-imposed “global backdoor” would jeopardise security worldwide. He wrote on X, “We should stop one country’s secret order that risks putting all of us in danger.”
Some U.S. officials have also raised concerns. Two senior American politicians suggested that the demand could pose a national security threat significant enough to warrant reevaluating intelligence-sharing agreements between the U.S. and the UK. Senator Ron Wyden argued that Apple’s decision to pull ADP in the UK could encourage authoritarian governments to demand similar access.
Despite Apple’s move, it remains uncertain whether the UK will withdraw its demand, as the IPA order applies globally. In its statement, Apple reiterated its commitment to data security and expressed hope that it could restore ADP for UK users in the future.
Balancing Security and Child Protection
Organisations advocating for child safety have responded to Apple’s decision. The NSPCC urged tech firms to balance privacy with measures that protect children. The organisation has previously raised concerns that encryption services could hamper efforts to combat child exploitation.
However, encryption advocates argue that strong security measures are essential for user privacy. Emily Taylor, co-founder of the Global Signal Exchange, emphasised that encryption is a vital safeguard in the digital world, distinct from the “dark Web” concerns raised by critics.
Broader Implications
This development comes amid growing resistance in the U.S. to foreign regulations targeting American tech firms. During a speech at the AI Action Summit in Paris, U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed concern over increasing international regulatory pressure on American technology companies.
As the debate over privacy, security, and government access to data continues, Apple’s firm stance on encryption highlights the complex challenges tech companies face in navigating legal demands while protecting user privacy.
