In an unprecedented move, Apple has ceased offering its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) encryption feature to users in the United Kingdom, following government demands for access to encrypted user data. The decision came after UK authorities reportedly issued a secret order requiring Apple to provide backdoor access to users’ iCloud content, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Encryption Feature Withdrawn
Apple confirmed on Friday that Advanced Data Protection, which provides end-to-end encryption for iCloud files, photos, notes, and more, is no longer available to new UK users and will eventually be disabled for existing ones. Introduced in late 2022, the opt-in feature was designed to protect user data from unauthorized access, even by Apple itself.
The company stated, “We can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection in the UK,” and expressed disappointment over the situation. Without directly referencing the government order, Apple voiced concerns about the growing risks of data breaches and threats to user privacy.
Government Demands and Legal Authority
According to The Washington Post, the UK government served Apple with a “technical capability notice” under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, also known as the “snoopers’ charter.” This sweeping legislation grants intelligence agencies the authority to compel companies to remove encryption, enabling electronic surveillance. The law also makes it illegal to disclose the existence of such orders.
The UK Home Office declined to confirm or deny the report, stating only, “We do not comment on operational matters, including, for example, confirming or denying the existence of any such notices.”
Partial Encryption Still in Place
Apple has not disclosed how many UK users were using the ADP feature. While ADP is being withdrawn, some forms of end-to-end encryption will remain active for UK users. These include iCloud Keychain passwords, Health app data, and communications via iMessage and FaceTime.
End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can read the data, rendering intercepted content unintelligible without the decryption key.
Expert Warning on Global Implications
Mike Chapple, an IT professor at the University of Notre Dame and former NSA computer scientist, said the move highlights a major problem with government efforts to weaken encryption. He warned that when companies like Apple are forced to choose between complying with government rules and offering strong security, they may eliminate security features altogether.
“This ultimately leads to weaker security for everyone,” Chapple said. “If other countries adopt similar policies, we could be heading toward a future where strong encryption is essentially banned—exposing users not just to government surveillance but to malicious actors as well.”
