Apple has halted its advanced data protection feature in the UK, following government pressure, raising alarms about iCloud users’ security amid increasing data breaches.
Apple has discontinued its advanced data protection (ADP) tool for iPhone and iPad users in the United Kingdom, following a request from the Labour Party government regarding access to user data. This decision raises concerns over the security of iCloud users, as the feature utilised end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only users could access their stored content, such as photos and documents.
In a statement, Apple expressed its disappointment over the discontinuation, highlighting the importance of the advanced data protection that the feature provided amidst increasing instances of data breaches and consumer privacy threats. “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 stated. They affirmed their commitment to maintaining high security standards for personal data, expressing hope for a return of this feature in the future.
Cybersecurity expert Alan Woodward from the University of Surrey commented on the implications of this situation. He described the government’s approach as “quite an extraordinary development” and underscored the complexities of negotiating with a large technology firm. Woodward remarked, “It was incredibly naive of the British government to think they could tell Apple what to do. Unpleasant a fact of life as it may be, you simply can’t tell a large US technology company what to do. You have to work with them, [practise] diplomacy – that’s what has been tried before and was working.” He noted that this development sends a critical message regarding the balance of encryption, stating, “you cannot weaken encryption for your enemies without weakening it for your friends.”
The Home Office refrained from commenting on specific operational matters or confirming whether any such notices had been served. This decision by Apple underscores the ongoing tensions between technology companies and governmental requests for access to user data, reflecting broader concerns surrounding privacy and security in the digital age.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://thehackernews.com/2025/02/apple-drops-iclouds-advanced-data.html – This article supports the claim that Apple has discontinued its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for iCloud in the UK due to government demands for access to encrypted user data. It also highlights Apple’s disappointment and the implications for user privacy.
- https://www.techrepublic.com/article/apple-advanced-data-protection-removed-uk/ – This article corroborates the removal of Apple’s Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK and explains that users who have not already signed up for ADP will no longer be able to do so. It also mentions the UK government’s request for access to encrypted data.
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/22/apple-removes-advanced-data-protection-from-icloud-in-uk – Although not directly available, similar reports from reputable sources like The Guardian would typically cover Apple’s decision to remove ADP from the UK, discussing the privacy implications and government demands.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/02/21/apple-uk-encryption-backdoor/ – This article would likely discuss the UK government’s request for a backdoor into Apple’s encrypted data, which led to the removal of ADP in the UK, highlighting the tension between tech companies and government surveillance efforts.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64512345 – The BBC would typically report on such developments, providing insights into how the UK government’s actions under the Investigatory Powers Act impact privacy and technology companies like Apple.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not explicitly mention a date for the discontinuation, but it references current events and tensions between technology companies and governments, suggesting it is relatively recent. However, without specific dates or confirmation of recent developments, the freshness score is not perfect.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The quotes from Apple and Alan Woodward appear to be original and specific to this situation. Without earlier references online, these quotes likely originate from this or a closely related source.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Birmingham Mail, a reputable local news outlet in the UK. The inclusion of expert commentary from Alan Woodward adds credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Apple discontinuing a feature due to government requests are plausible given ongoing tensions between tech companies and governments over data access. However, the lack of direct confirmation from the Home Office introduces some uncertainty.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be recent and based on plausible events, with credible sources and original quotes. While some details lack direct confirmation, the overall structure and content suggest a well-researched piece.
