Apple has pulled its highest level data security tool in the UK for iCloud users, rather than comply with the UK government’s demands to allow its security agencies access.
The controversial decision comes just weeks after reports that the government had ordered the tech giant to create a “backdoor” to the Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature which encrypted data held in its iCloud storage service.
Apple said it was “gravely disappointed” to be making the decision in response to the powers granted to the UK government under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which the company condemned last year.
It said: “Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in the future in the United Kingdom.
“As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.”
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The move came into effect immediately on Friday 21st February, meaning new users will no longer be able to turn on ADP and existing users of the feature will likely soon be prompted to turn it off or face losing their backup data.
ADP was first introduced in the UK in December 2022 and allowed Apple users to turn on end-to-end encryption for their personal data backups on apps like Photos, Notes and iCloud. Apple's "standard" encryption can still be accessed by Apple and law enforcement.
While ADP's removal in the UK was largely expected following the backdoor demands, the decision is already being derided by privacy campaigners, with most of the blame placed on the government.
“The UK government has set a precedent, and cast a new reputation that underscores the erosion of personal liberties and privacy in a digital age where these values are needed more than ever,” Mike Salem, the UK Country Associate for the Consumer Choice Centre, said.
The drastic action will serve as a ‘line in the sand’ for Apple over what the company will allow itself to be pushed on by external forces after growing tension over the powers of the IPA.
Apple had previously described the legislation as “unprecedented” and told a committee that it represented a “serious and very real threat to data security and information privacy.”
