Apple has revoked its "Advanced Data Protection" (ADP) feature for users in the UK due to a government request to gain access to encrypted iCloud data. This feature provided extremely strong encryption to ensure that users' data was inaccessible to anyone, including Apple.
The UK government, under the "Investigatory Powers Act" (IPA), required Apple to create technical means to allow access to encrypted iCloud data of its users. This law gives the government the power to access personal data with special warrants, but it was intended to remain undisclosed to the public.
Apple rejected this request, emphasizing its commitment to user data security and privacy. The company stated that it would never create a "backdoor" or master key for its products.
As a result, Apple has revoked the ADP feature for users in the UK and will not offer this service to new users. However, some categories of iCloud data, such as iCloud Keys and Health, will still be automatically encrypted. Communication services like iMessage and FaceTime will remain end-to-end encrypted globally, including in the UK.
This situation brings the issue of balancing government access to data with the protection of individual privacy to the forefront. Apple's decision is being closely monitored by other technology companies and users alike.
