Apple has announced the withdrawal of its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service for British customers following a request from the UK government for access to user data stored on iCloud. The request, served under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) by the Home Office, obliges firms to grant information access to law enforcement agencies. This decision marks a significant shift in Apple's data protection policy in the UK, affecting customers who have relied on the company's highest level of security for their personal data.
The ADP service, known for its end-to-end encryption, will no longer be available to new users in the UK, and existing access will be disabled at a later date. Apple's decision comes amid its consistent opposition to creating a "backdoor" in its encryption services, a measure the company argues would compromise overall security. Despite the IPA order applying globally, Apple's actions will specifically impact its UK users.
Apple has expressed disappointment over the necessity of this move. In a statement, the company remarked:
"Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end-encryption is more urgent than ever before," – Apple
Furthermore, the company emphasized its commitment to user security:
"Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in future in the UK." – Apple
The UK government's demand for access has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from both within and outside the country. Two senior US politicians have voiced concerns, labeling the request as a potential threat to American national security. This tension comes amid increasing resistance in the United States against external regulatory pressures on its tech sector. The US government is reportedly considering a re-evaluation of its intelligence-sharing agreements with the UK as a result of this contention.
US Vice President JD Vance commented on the situation, expressing concern over international regulatory pressures:
"The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on US tech companies with international footprints" – US Vice President JD Vance
Cyber-security expert Prof Alan Woodward described the UK government's approach as counterproductive:
"An act of self harm" – Prof Alan Woodward
Apple's strong stance against compromising its encryption services has been clear, with a firm declaration that:
"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" – Apple
Despite these assertions, it remains uncertain whether Apple's actions will fully address the UK's concerns regarding data access.