Apple has discontinued its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for iCloud users in the UK. This decision follows a conflict with the UK government over demands for backdoor access to encrypted user data.
The ADP service provided end-to-end encryption for files and backups stored in iCloud, ensuring that only the user could access their data. However, in response to the government’s insistence on blanket access to this encrypted data, Apple chose to remove the feature entirely.
Users in the UK who had not enabled ADP will no longer have the option to do so. Those who had previously activated the feature will receive a grace period to disable it along with guidance on adjusting to the changes. Despite this alteration, certain iCloud data protections remain, including end-to-end encryption for apps like Health, iMessage, and Keychain.
Apple’s removal of this advanced security feature raises concerns about the vulnerability of user data in the UK. The company’s stance reflects its commitment to user privacy and security, as it has historically resisted government requests for access to user data.
Privacy advocates have lauded Apple’s decision, viewing it as a stand against what they consider invasive government regulations. Critics argue that such laws could set a dangerous precedent for future government access to private data.
Apple has a history of challenging government requests for user data, having previously refused to unlock iPhones for law enforcement in high-profile cases. The ongoing situation in the UK highlights the ongoing tension between user privacy rights and government oversight.
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