Apple Inc. is removing its state-of-the-art encryption security features in UK cloud data, a stunning development project that the government ordered the company to build a backdoor for accessing user data.
Advanced Data Protection is an optional feature that provides new users with end-to-end encryption for various user data, the company said Friday. This technology provides additional security for iCloud data storage, device backup, web bookmarks, voice memos, notes, photos, reminders and SMS backups.
“We are very disappointed that the protection provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in light of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy,” the company said in a statement. “ADP protects iCloud using end-to-end encryption data, which means that only users who own it can decrypt the data and can only be done on their trusted devices.”
An unprecedented step is in the media media, including Bloomberg News, which reported that the British government ordered Apple to establish a backdoor globally.
Without ADP, the UK government is expected to make it easier to get user data, a potentially shocking situation for customers in the country. The move also threatens to set a precedent to encourage other countries to push Apple to reduce security.
A representative from the UK Home Office said it had no comment on operational matters, including “confirmation or denial of the existence of any such notice”.
Apple has previously called for a bill from the UK Parliament that seeks access to user data “an unprecedented overrevealment of the government”. At the time, the company said: “The UK can try to secretly veto new user protections around the world to prevent us from providing their services to our customers.”
Customers who already use ADP will need to manually disable it within an unspecified grace period to retain their iCloud account. The company said it will issue additional guidance to affected users in the future and it does not have the ability to automatically disable it on their behalf.
The move to enhance its encryption capabilities – rather than comply with and build backdoors – explicitly condemned the government’s orders.
“As we have said many times before, we have never set up a backdoor or master key for any of our products or services, and we will never,” Apple said Friday.
“Enhanced security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever,” the company said. The company added, “still committed to providing our users with the highest security of their personal data and hopes we will be able to do so.” Can provide us with the ability to do so in the UK in the future.”
Users trying to enable advanced data protection will receive a message on their iPhone, iPad or Mac that says: “Apple no longer provides the UK’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) to new users.” Bloomberg News A guide on how to enable the feature is available elsewhere around the world.
By default, advanced data protection in the UK is eliminated and several other Apple features will not be removed, including iMessage, FaceTime, password management and health data. Some industry observers speculate that Apple could withdraw its services entirely from the UK based on orders, but removing the optional extra security is a compromise for the company – at least for now.
Apple has a history of making changes in the region to continue to offer its products in these markets. For example, iCloud in China is operated by a local provider, which is working with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. to use a content filtering system to provide its AI capabilities in the region. Meanwhile, it has taken privacy as a guiding principle and fought the U.S. government about a decade ago when the company asked the company to build backdoors into iPhone data.
According to Bloomberg News, the UK requires it to access global user data as part of its order with Apple. The mission ordered Apple to provide access under the UK’s Right to Investigation Act, which grants officials the force companies to unencrypt under what they call “technical capability notices.” The law also allows companies to reveal when the government makes such an order illegal.
“Protecting users’ privacy and their data security is at the heart of everything we do at Apple,” the company said.
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