Apple has withdrawn the Advanced Data Protection for iCloud from England. You need to know this.
iCloud less well protected in England
Advanced data protection for iCloud offers the highest level of security for cloud data using end-to-end encryption. Apple has now withdrawn the position from England after the government had demanded a back door to access encrypted user data, according to Bloomberg.
According to the report, customers who already use advanced data protection for iCloud must manually disable this to maintain their iCloud accounts. Apple emphasizes that it will give additional guidelines to affected users and that it does not have the option to eliminate the security on their behalf.
Access for British security agents
The British government recently demanded that Apple British Security Agents would give access to encrypted user data worldwide. This requirement jeopardizes Apple’s advanced data protection. The function offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud data including photos, notes, messages and device backups.
Apple’s decision to withdraw the security of iCloud instead of addressing the requirement of England is in accordance with previous statements. It was already stated that Apple would consider withdrawing encrypted services from the United Kingdom instead of jeopardizing security. Apple has long since resisted it, because such access points are inevitably discovered by malicious parties.
The British requirement was particularly controversial because the Apple is obliged to give access to data from users outside the United Kingdom, without their governments being aware of this. Moreover, companies may not disclose the existence of such government requirements.
Improve Security Cloud storage
American security authorities, including the FBI and NSA, argue for increasing use of encryption for better protection against Chinese cyber threats. According to Apple, improving the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is also more urgent than ever. Apple remains committed to offering users the highest level of security for their personal data and hopes to be able to do this in the United Kingdom in the future.
Incidentally, the disappearance of advanced data protection for iCloud in England has no influence on the existing end-to-end encryption of various other Apple functions that are available in the country, including iMessage, Facetime, Password Management and Health Data.
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