Fri Feb 21 16:46:36 UTC 2025: ## Apple Halts Advanced Encryption for UK iPhone Users Amidst Government Pressure
**London/Cupertino, CA –** Apple announced Friday it will no longer offer its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature to UK iPhone users, effectively ending full end-to-end encryption for British customers. This decision follows reports that the UK government demanded access to all data stored on Apple devices worldwide, effectively requiring a “backdoor” into its encryption.
ADP, which uses end-to-end encryption to ensure only the account holder can access photos, documents, and other data stored in iCloud, will be unavailable to new UK users. Existing users will eventually be required to disable the feature.
Apple vehemently denied creating any backdoor or master key, stating, “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.” The company expressed “grave disappointment” at the situation, highlighting the rising threat of data breaches and the importance of customer privacy.
The UK’s Home Office declined to comment on the matter.
While law enforcement agencies argue that end-to-end encryption hinders investigations and protects criminals, privacy advocates and cybersecurity experts emphasize its crucial role in protecting user data from both government overreach and malicious actors.
Apple maintains its commitment to user security and hopes to restore full ADP functionality in the UK in the future. The move raises significant concerns about the balance between national security and individual privacy in the digital age.
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