Millions of Apple users in the United Kingdom will no longer have access to an end-to-end encryption service that protected their personal data. This development comes after Apple, responding to a reported demand from the UK government, declined to implement a system back door that would allow law enforcement access to user data stored in the cloud.
The service affected, Advanced Data Protection, allowed users to store encrypted backups of their files. This encryption was designed so that even Apple could not access these files. Apple determined that creating a back door would present a substantial vulnerability to its global user base, as it would expose the system to potential exploitation by hackers, unfriendly governments, and others with malicious intent.
Apple highlighted concerns about digital security, comparing the back door to an additional entrance into a home, which intruders could exploit. The company argued that "anyone holding that key, whether a legitimate government actor, a repressive regime or a criminal hacker, can access users’ data for their own purposes."
Furthermore, Apple suggested that systems including back doors often fail to meet privacy and security expectations. The presence of a back door could lead to significant and impactful risks of data breaches. The company stood by the principle that only users should have access to encryption keys to avoid widespread security threats.
Experts have noted that demands for back-door access could introduce unforeseen security weaknesses in the complex Internet environment. They argue that "keys under doormats make us all less secure and will be widely abused."
There are also concerns regarding the potential misuse of these access systems by governments with different privacy standards, noting that a tool intended for lawful use in one context could become a tool of repression elsewhere. Apple's decision to withdraw encrypted storage in the UK is seen as both a principled and pragmatic action to maintain global security for its Advanced Data Protection users.