He end -to -end encryption It is something that most consumers are familiar, at least for the constant references that WhatsApp It makes this function that protects the privacy of users. This technology is not a novelty or thing just from Goalbut a standard with which also companies such as Google -That offers backup copies encrypted to users of Android Since 2018- and Apple -To introduced it to its cloud storage service Icloud In 2022- they also use. However, Apple He has stopped doing it from this Friday for new users in the United Kingdom, which will be followed by existing ones within a period without determining. This surprising movement by Apple arrives after The demand of the British government to create a ‘back door’ in ICloud with which to access user data.
Earlier this month, The Washington Post published that the Ministry of Interior from the United Kingdom, whose front is Yvette Cooperhad demanded from Apple to have a ‘back door’ to ADP -Advanced Data Protection or Advanced Data Protection, which is the Extreme to Extreme Icloud Encryption option- with which power Access Apple user encrypted files throughout the planet, not only to those of the United Kingdom.
End -to -end encryption means that protected data They can only be deciphered on the device of the person who owns the accountnot even for the company that offers the service. Without ADP, the files of the British users will be accessible to Apple and They can be shared with order forces when required through a court order.
Julien TrosdorfApple spokesman, has pointed out to The Verge that ‘Apple can no longer offer advanced data protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users and current users of the United Kingdom eventually must disable this security function’ and that ‘that’We are deeply disappointed that the protections provided by ADP are not available for our clients in the United Kingdomgiven the continuous increase in data violations and other threats to customer privacy ‘.
However, the company has not entered to assess the petition that the British government carried out based on the Research Powers Law from the United Kingdom of 2016 and that Apple can’t even comment without risking committing a criminal offenseaccording to the Research Powers Law.
Apple does have the right to appeal the government’s demand, but Not to delay the implementation of the order received. Therefore, it seems that, before accepting a request that would harm his reputation as a technology company defending the privacy of its users, he has decided to throw down the street in the middle.
It is not clear if this measure will be enough for the government to Keir Starmer cease in their demand to access the encrypted files of all Apple users in the world under the pretext of fighting terrorism, pedophilia and other crimes. ‘It cannot be allowed that end -to -end encryption hinder efforts to catch the authors of the most serious crimes’said the British government in 2022 when Apple introduced ADP.
Apple, in a debate on an amendment to the Law on Investigation powers in March 2024, told the British Parliament that ‘There is no reason why the United Kingdom (government) must have the authority to decide for the citizens of the world if they can take advantage of the proven security benefits derived from the extreme to extreme encryption’.
Trosdorf has also pointed to The Verge that ‘Apple maintains its commitment to offer our users the highest level of security for their personal data and we hope to do it in the future in the United Kingdom. As we have said many times before, We have never built a back door or a master key for any of our products or services and we will never do it‘.