Apple refuses to budge to UK's backdoor access demand, kills its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature instead in the country

Apple has thrown down the gauntlet in a high-stakes tug-of-war over digital privacy in the UK. In a bold and unyielding move, the tech giant has pulled the plug on its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature — its prized layer of end-to-end encryption — in response to a government order demanding a backdoor into its encrypted iCloud services.

As of February 21, 2025, new UK iCloud users can no longer opt for ADP, and existing users will soon have to disable the feature to keep their accounts active. ADP was designed to offer extra security, ensuring that not even Apple could peek inside your data vault. “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will,” Apple previously declared, reinforcing its steadfast commitment to user privacy. In a statement to TechCrunch, Apple expressed disappointment in the decision, but it won’t budge:

We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the U.K. Given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy, enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before.

This decisive action comes on the heels of a controversial demand issued under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which would have forced Apple to weaken its encryption to grant law enforcement unfettered access to user data. Instead of compromising on security, Apple chose to sidestep the backdoor order entirely — sacrificing a non-default feature rather than risking the integrity of its entire ecosystem.

Adding fuel to the fire, a spirited joint letter dated February 13, 2025, from over 100 internet leaders, academics, cybersecurity experts, and civil society organizations slammed the UK government’s move. The signatories warned that creating a backdoor would not only jeopardize the security and privacy of millions but also tarnish the reputation of the UK’s tech sector and jeopardize national cybersecurity. By demanding a backdoor, the government risks undermining the very foundation of digital security, the letter cautioned, underscoring a global consensus that any attempt to bypass end-to-end encryption creates systemic vulnerabilities.

While Apple’s decision means that certain iCloud data categories — like backups, photos, and documents — will lose the extra layer of protection provided by ADP, other critical data (such as health information, passwords, iCloud messages, and Apple card transactions) remain shielded by default encryption. Additionally, the company reassured users that flagship services like iMessage and FaceTime continue to operate under robust end-to-end encryption, regardless of geographic boundaries.

For UK customers currently using ADP, detailed guidance on disabling the feature is on the way. Although this change might be a temporary inconvenience, it signals Apple’s unwavering stance in an era when cyber threats loom larger than ever. Amid global debates on privacy versus law enforcement needs — and the shadow of incidents like the Salt Typhoon attack — Apple’s playful defiance serves as a rallying cry for those who believe that security should never come at the cost of privacy.

In the digital age’s never-ending chess match between government oversight and individual security, Apple’s decision to protect its users by sacrificing a feature rather than compromising its encryption principles is both a victory for privacy advocates and a stern message to regulators: when it comes to safeguarding your data, there’s no room for half-measures.