Key Takeaways:

• Apple has decided to remove its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK after the government requested backdoor access for user data.
• The move marks a significant shift in Apple's approach to user privacy and data security, appealing to law enforcement at the expense of encryption.
• Existing users of the feature will eventually have it disabled, while new users will not have access to it at all.
• The UK’s Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 underpins the government’s demands for enhanced surveillance capabilities.

In a groundbreaking decision, Apple announced on February 21, 2025, that it will no longer offer its Advanced Data Protection feature for cloud data in the UK. This controversial move comes in response to the British government’s unprecedented request for backdoor access to user data, raising significant privacy concerns among consumers and advocates alike.

Advanced Data Protection, which was introduced as an optional service allowing users to secure their data with end-to-end encryption, has now been rendered unavailable for new users in the UK and will soon be disabled for existing users, according to the tech giant. Affected data includes various cloud-stored materials such as photos and documents, which under the ADP feature would have remained encrypted and accessible only by the account holder.

The demand from the UK government was facilitated under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, often referred to as the "snoopers' charter." This law allows security officials to compel technology firms to provide access to encrypted data, which Apple's internal policies have always resisted. Apple expressed its disappointment over the decision, noting that this act compromises user privacy at a time when data breaches are on the rise. As stated in a Channel News Asia report, “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK.”

The implications of this decision are profound. Cybersecurity experts, including those from BBC, argue that reducing encryption capabilities endangers user data across the spectrum. By compromising these protections, the UK government inadvertently risks creating loopholes that not only hinder privacy rights but also potentially embolden malicious entities looking to exploit digital vulnerabilities.

Apple has maintained a staunch position against creating any “backdoor” access for any government, stating, “As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will.” This operational stance aligns with industry concerns surrounding the declining trust in digital security mechanisms, as the potential for abuse by malicious actors grows.

The decision to remove ADP from the UK follows a pattern seen previously where governments have made similar demands in various nations, compelling technology companies to consider either compliance or the erosion of their security features. The incident reflects a global tension between national security imperatives and the preservation of personal privacy.

Consequently, while other encryption features, such as those within the iMessage and FaceTime platforms, remain intact, the broader implications of this decision are far-reaching, suggesting a potential shift in the digital landscape where companies may need to navigate between user security and governmental oversight. For more insights on this developing story, you can read further from Al Jazeera and BBC.