APPLE PULLS END-TO-END CLOUD ENCRYPTION FEATURE IN UK – The government demanded a backdoor for user data access
Apple is dropping its most advanced, end-to-end security encryption feature for cloud data in the UK in an unprecedented move after reports that the government demanded a backdoor for user data access.
Advanced Data Protection, an optional feature that adds end-to-end encryption for security across a wide range of user data, is no longer available in the UK for new users and current UK users will eventually need to disable this security feature, Apple said.
Governments routinely ask technology companies for user data to crack criminal cases, but Britain’s demand, issued last month, is seen as particularly sweeping.
Britain issued such notices under its Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which combined various existing powers on intercepting and obtaining communications. While security officials say data encryption features make it harder to catch criminals, tech companies have long guarded their users’ right to privacy.
Apple has criticised a bill from the UK Parliament seeking access to user data as “unprecedented overreach.” The company has also fended off government attempts in the past including in 2016 when law enforcement agencies tried to force Apple to unlock the encrypted iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters.
Apple reiterated that it would never build a back door into its technology. The move to stop offering ADP in the UK would not affect Apple services that are end-to-end encrypted by default such as its Health app, iMessage and FaceTime.
