The move comes in response to a government request for backdoor access to user data.
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the tech and privacy community, Apple has disabled its powerful Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for users in the United Kingdom. This decision, first reported by Bloomberg, follows a clash between Apple and the UK government over demands for backdoor access to encrypted user data. The news raises profound questions about privacy, security, and the future of encrypted services in one of the world’s most influential markets.
What Is Advanced Data Protection (ADP)?
Advanced Data Protection is Apple’s most robust security feature for iCloud users. It extends end-to-end encryption to a wide range of iCloud data, including photos, notes, and backups. With ADP enabled, only the user — and no one else, not even Apple — can decrypt their data, and only on their trusted devices.
According to Apple, this level of encryption is crucial in an era of escalating cyber threats and rampant data breaches. “ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, which means the data can only be decrypted by the user who owns it, and only on their trusted devices,”
However, starting this week, UK users attempting to enable ADP will be met with a notification explaining that the feature is no longer available in their region. Existing users with ADP turned on will have to manually disable it to retain access to their iCloud accounts. Apple has promised a grace period, though the exact timeline remains unclear.
Why Is Apple Disabling ADP in the UK?
The decision comes in response to a government order issued under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act (IPA). The law, sometimes called the “Snooper’s Charter,” gives authorities broad surveillance powers and the ability to compel tech companies to provide access to encrypted data through a “technical capability notice.”
The government argues that such measures are necessary to combat terrorism, child exploitation, and organized crime. In fact, recent amendments to the IPA were designed to ensure law enforcement could keep pace with evolving threats from malicious actors.
But Apple has consistently pushed back on these demands, warning that building backdoors — even for government use — compromises security for everyone. “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will,” the company stated. “Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before.”
The Privacy Versus Security Debate
This standoff underscores a broader, global debate about privacy and security. While governments argue that access to encrypted data is essential for public safety, privacy advocates — and many tech companies — warn that once a backdoor exists, it becomes a target for hackers and oppressive regimes alike. The very existence of a vulnerability weakens security for all users, not just those under investigation.
Apple’s decision to disable ADP in the UK highlights the company’s unwillingness to compromise on its core privacy principles, even at the cost of losing a critical feature in a major market. Nevertheless, the company reassured customers that other services, such as iMessage, health data, and password storage, will remain protected with end-to-end encryption.
What Happens Next?
For now, UK users must choose between disabling ADP or losing access to iCloud. Apple says it will release further guidance in the coming weeks, but the long-term outlook remains uncertain. Will Apple find a way to negotiate with the UK government? Or will this move set a precedent for other countries to demand similar concessions?
What’s clear is that this battle is far from over. Apple’s stance may embolden other tech giants to resist government pressure, or it could prompt even stricter legislation. Either way, the future of digital privacy is hanging in the balance.
As Apple put it: “We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the UK, given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy.”
For users who value their privacy, this moment serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to safeguard personal data in an increasingly surveilled world.
Stay tuned — this is just the beginning of what promises to be a pivotal chapter in the fight for digital security.
