Apple Disables Advanced Data Protection in the UK Over Encryption Dispute

The move follows a UK government demand for backdoor access to encrypted iCloud data, raising global privacy concerns.

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK after the government issued a secret order under the Investigatory Powers Act demanding backdoor access to encrypted iCloud data.
Advanced Data Protection, introduced in 2022, uses end-to-end encryption to secure iCloud data, preventing even Apple from accessing it.
UK users who already enabled ADP must disable it to maintain iCloud access, while new users can no longer activate the feature.
Cybersecurity experts warn that weakening encryption for government access creates vulnerabilities that could be exploited globally by malicious actors.
Privacy advocates criticize the UK government’s demands, arguing this decision sets a dangerous precedent that could influence other countries to seek similar access.