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UK Renews Push for Apple to Open Cloud Access for British User Data

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The British government has issued a new order to Apple (AAPL.O) demanding the creation of a backdoor into its iCloud storage service — this time limited to British users’ data, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The move marks the government’s second attempt to gain access to encrypted data stored by Apple, following the company’s appeal earlier this year against a broader order that sought access to both UK and U.S. citizens’ data. The earlier mandate was dropped after U.S. intelligence officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, warned that such access could expose sensitive personal data to cybercriminals and foreign governments.

APPLE MAINTAINS REFUSAL TO CREATE BACKDOOR

Apple reiterated its long-standing position that it will not build a backdoor into its systems, citing user privacy and global security risks. “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services — and we never will,” Apple said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company also confirmed that it was forced to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for UK users in February due to the government’s demands. The feature, which offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud data, ensures that only the user — not even Apple — can decrypt stored information.

“Apple is still unable to offer Advanced Data Protection in the United Kingdom to new users, and current users will eventually need to disable this feature,” the company said. “ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, meaning only the user can access it on trusted devices.”

GOVERNMENT DEFENDS SECURITY ACTIONS

A spokesperson for the UK government declined to confirm the existence of the new order but said:

“We will always take all actions necessary at the domestic level to keep UK citizens safe.”

The latest demand comes under Britain’s Investigatory Powers Act, often called the “Snooper’s Charter,” which allows the government to compel tech firms to provide access to encrypted communications under certain conditions.

Apple’s ongoing appeal against the earlier order is being heard by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), the UK’s top court for intelligence-related cases.

The standoff underscores the growing global tension between governments seeking digital surveillance capabilities and technology companies defending encryption as a cornerstone of privacy and cybersecurity.

UK and US Engage in Private Talks to Resolve Apple Encryption Dispute

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British officials have been in private discussions with U.S. counterparts to resolve concerns surrounding the UK’s demand that Apple build a backdoor into its encrypted data, according to a Bloomberg News report on Thursday. This follows Apple’s decision last month to remove its Advanced Data Protection security feature for cloud data in the UK, a move that has raised concerns about the potential for government access to sensitive information.

The removal of this encryption feature allows Apple to access iCloud backups, including iMessages, in specific situations, which it can then hand over to authorities if legally required. Previously, with end-to-end encryption enabled, even Apple itself could not access users’ data. This shift marks a significant response to government demands for easier access to encrypted user data.

The UK’s Home Office and Apple have not responded to requests for comment. Governments and tech giants have long been in a standoff over strong encryption, with authorities often viewing it as an obstacle to surveillance and crime-fighting. However, the UK’s demands are seen as particularly expansive.

In response to the situation, U.S. officials are investigating whether the UK’s actions violate agreements between the two countries. A letter sent on February 25 by U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard indicated that the U.S. is examining whether the UK violated the CLOUD Act, which restricts foreign governments from making requests for data on U.S. citizens.

On Friday, Apple’s appeal against the UK’s order will be heard in a secret hearing at London’s High Court

Apple Suspends Advanced Data Protection Feature in the UK Due to Government Pressure

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Apple has announced it is pulling its most advanced security feature, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), from the UK in response to government pressure demanding access to user data. This decision marks an unprecedented move by the tech giant, which had previously touted ADP as a significant advancement in user privacy. The feature, designed to provide end-to-end encryption across a broad spectrum of cloud data, will no longer be available to new users in Britain. Those who attempt to activate the feature will receive an error message starting Friday.

Existing users of ADP in the UK will eventually be required to disable the security feature, signaling a significant shift in how Apple handles data privacy in the country. With ADP, Apple had ensured that even it could not access certain types of user data, such as iCloud backups and iMessages. The removal of this encryption means that iCloud backups in the UK will now be less secure, allowing Apple to access user data and potentially provide it to authorities if legally compelled to do so.

This change has raised concerns among privacy advocates who view end-to-end encryption as a critical safeguard against surveillance and unauthorized data access. Apple had positioned ADP as a major step forward in protecting users’ personal information from hackers, cybercriminals, and even governmental overreach. However, with the UK government pushing for greater access to encrypted data in the name of national security, Apple has been forced to make this difficult concession.

While the company has not specified the exact legal demands that led to the removal of ADP in the UK, this move suggests increasing tension between tech companies and governments over the balance between privacy and law enforcement needs. As the situation unfolds, Apple’s decision may set a precedent for other tech giants and could signal a shift in how encryption technologies are implemented globally.