Zoe Kleinman, the technology editor, reported on Apple’s decision to remove its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature from customers in the UK following the government’s demand for access to user data. This move means that account holders will no longer be able to view photos or documents stored online through end-to-end encryption. The UK government requested access to this data earlier this month, to which Apple has consistently opposed creating a backdoor in its encryption service.
In response to the government’s demands, Apple announced that it will no longer be possible to activate ADP in the UK. This means that all UK customer data stored on iCloud will no longer be encrypted, making it accessible by Apple and shareable with law enforcement upon warrant. The Home Office declined to comment on operational matters, while Apple expressed disappointment that the security feature would no longer be available to British customers, reiterating their stance against building backdoors in their products.
The ADP service, which is opt-in, has been disabled for new users in the UK since 1500GMT on Friday. Existing users will also have their access disabled at a later date. Cyber-security expert Prof Alan Woodward criticized the government’s actions as a weakening of online security and privacy for UK users. The request from the Home Office was made under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), prompting strong opposition from privacy campaigners and senior US politicians who voiced concerns about the impact on national security.
While Apple expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the urgency of enhancing cloud storage security with end-to-end encryption, the company remains committed to providing the highest level of security for user data. The ongoing controversy highlights the challenges faced by tech companies operating in an increasingly regulated global environment, with tensions rising over foreign governments imposing restrictions on US tech companies
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