UK government orders Apple to provide access to encrypted iCloud backups — Apple disables Advanced Data Protection in the UK
Early this month the UK government reportedly issued a new directive instructing Apple to enable access to encrypted iCloud backups for users in the United Kingdom. Unlike an earlier request in January that would have had global effect, the current order appears to be limited to UK users. In response, Apple has disabled its Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK and is challenging the demand.
Key points
- Scope: The new order is reported to target encrypted iCloud backups of UK-based users only.
- Apple response: Apple has disabled Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the UK and has indicated it is resisting the demand.
- Context: A previous, broader request in January was resisted by Apple; this latest order narrows the geographic scope but continues the dispute between privacy advocates and law enforcement.
Why it matters
The move raises questions about user privacy, the security of end-to-end encryption, and where governments draw the line between lawful access for investigations and building potential backdoors that weaken security for all users.
Sources
- TechCrunch — UK government tries again to access encrypted Apple customer data
- MacRumors — UK issues new order for iCloud data
- Apple Support — Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection in the United Kingdom
Discuss: Do you support stronger access for law enforcement in investigations, or should companies prioritize end-to-end encryption and user privacy? Leave your thoughts in the comments.