Apple pulls iCloud end-to-end encryption feature in the UK

Apple will no longer offer iCloud end-to-end encryption in the United Kingdom after the government requested a backdoor to access Apple customers’ encrypted cloud data.

As Apple told BleepingComputer on Friday, the optional Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature introduced in December 2022 will no longer be available for new users in the U.K. starting today.

This decision follows a secret order from the United Kingdom government demanding that Apple create a backdoor that would provide access to the unencrypted data of any Apple user worldwide.

“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. 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,” the company told BleepingComputer.

“Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before. 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 the future in the United Kingdom.”

On its “Government Information Requests” page, the company says it “never created a backdoor or master key” to any of its products or services, “never allowed any government direct access to Apple servers,” and “never will.”

Those trying to access and enable the feature will see the following message: “Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users.”

While the company cannot disable ADP for current ADP users in the U.K., they will eventually be required to disable it to keep using their iCloud account using guidance provided by Apple over the coming weeks or days.

Apple’s communication services (iMessage and FaceTime) and  Health and iCloud Keychain data will remain end-to-end encrypted, including in the U.K.

Apple says that ADP continues to be available for customers worldwide, who can enable it to ensure that their encrypted iCloud data can only be decrypted on trusted devices.