Apple takes the unprecedented measure to delete its highest customer data security tool in the United Kingdom, after the government has requested access to user data.
Advanced data protection (ADP) means that only account holders can display elements such as photos or documents that they have stored online via a process called end -to -end.
But earlier this month, the British government asked for the right to see the data, which will not have Apple either can access it.
Apple did not comment at the time, but still opposed the creation of a “stolen door” in its encryption service, arguing that if it was doing it, it would only be a question of time before bad players also find a means.
Now the technology giant has decided that it would no longer be possible to activate the ADP in the United Kingdom.
This means that ultimately, no British customer data stored on iCloud – Apple’s cloud storage service will be encrypted, which makes everything accessible by Apple and shareable with the police, if they have a mandate.
The BBC approached the government to comment.
In a statement, Apple said it was “seriously disappointed” that the security functionality is no longer available for British customers.
“As we have said several times before, we have never built a stolen door or master of our products, and we will never do it,” he continued.
The ADP service began to be fired for new users at 1500 GMT on Friday. Access to existing users will be disabled on a later date.
It is not known how many people have registered with the ADP since it became available for British apple customers in December 2022.
Professor Alan Woodward – an expert in cybersecurity at Surrey University – said it was a “very disappointing development” which was equivalent to “an act of self -harm” by the government.
“All that the British government has reached is to weaken security and online confidentiality for users based in the United Kingdom,” he told BBC.
“It was naive from the British government to think that they could say to an American technology company what to do worldwide,” he added.
The request was signified by the Home Office under the Act on Survey Powers (IPA), which obliges companies to provide information to the organizations responsible for the application of laws.
Apple would not comment on the opinion and the home office refused to confirm or deny its existence, but the BBC and the Washington Post have spoken to a number of sources familiar with the problem.
He provoked a fierce reaction from privacy activists, who called him an “unprecedented attack” against private data from individuals.
Two superior American politicians said it was such a serious threat to US national security that the US government should reassess its intelligence sharing agreements with the United Kingdom unless it is withdrawn.
It is not clear that Apple’s actions will fully respond to these concerns, because the order of the IPA applies worldwide and ADP will continue to operate in other countries.
In her statement, Apple said he regretted the action she had taken.
“Improving cloud storage safety with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever,” he said.
“Apple remains determined to offer our users the highest level of security for their personal data and hope that we can do it in the future in the United Kingdom.”
The row arrives in the middle of the growing push in the United States against the regulations imposed on its technological sector elsewhere.
In a speech at the top of AI action in Paris in early February, US vice-president JD Vance clearly said the United States was increasingly concerned about it.
“The Trump administration is disturbed by information that some foreign governments plan to tighten the screws of American technological companies with international fingerprints,” he said.
