Apple has announced the removal of its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK, marking a rare response to government pressure for access to user data.
ADP extends end-to-end encryption across iCloud backups, preventing even Apple from accessing stored data. Without this feature, British authorities could potentially obtain user information, including iMessages, if legally compelled.
“Apple’s decision to disable the feature for UK users could well be the only reasonable response at this point, but it leaves those people at the mercy of bad actors,” said Andrew Crocker of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Governments worldwide have long debated strong encryption, which law enforcement argues hampers crime investigations. The UK’s demand for broader access is seen as particularly extensive.
Apple has historically resisted weakening encryption, citing concerns over security vulnerabilities. “Once a door exists, it’s only a matter of time before it’s found and used maliciously,” warned cybersecurity professor Oli Buckley.
The company expressed disappointment over the decision, citing rising data security threats. The change does not impact on-device encryption, but with cloud backups now more accessible to authorities, concerns over privacy and security persist.
