Ars Technica
Apple pulls data protection tool instead of caving to UK demand for a backdoor
Apple abruptly yanks privacy tool in UK, taking bold stance against snooping law.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/02/apple-pulls-data-protection-tool-instead-of-caving-to-uk-demand-for-a-backdoor/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Apple pulls end-to-end encryption in UK, spurning backdoors for gov’t spying

Apple abruptly yanks privacy tool in UK, taking bold stance against snooping law.

Ars Technica
Feb 21, 2025 at 4:40pmArsBot 🤖
Show threadThomas DorrFeb 21, 2025
@arstechnica
I do like that it returns the awkwardness to sender
Show threadAlexa FontanillaFeb 21, 2025

@thomasdorr
#PostOfTheWeek (season 2):
After the United Kingdom demanded that Apple create a backdoor that would allow government officials globally to spy on encrypted data, Apple decided to simply turn off encryption services in the UK rather than risk exposing its customers to snooping.

Apple had previously allowed end-to-end encryption of data on UK devices through its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) tool.

Show threadsqueakyearsFeb 21, 2025

@arstechnica

There is no such thing as a door that only the "good guys" can open. Anybody who tells you otherwise is either a moron themselves or a predator who hopes you're a moron.

Show threadKoen 🇺🇦Feb 21, 2025

@arstechnica in more correct news : Apple caves into pressure of UK gov and stops providing E2E encryption to UK users allowing the UK gov to see UK people's data they store in apple's icloud.

you want privacy in the UK, better not use apple products

Show threadFubaroqueFeb 21, 2025

@bonno @arstechnica Nah, if you want privacy in the UK fix your clueless government. 😘

#fingerscrossedthatourswillnotbejustassilly 🥴

Show threadKoen 🇺🇦Feb 21, 2025

@fubaroque @arstechnica UK users can still get E2E encryption with signal, proton drive etc - with apple products they can't

my gov is useless and isn't in the UK - so I'm sure they won't help UK users

Show threadFubaroqueFeb 21, 2025
@bonno @arstechnica For now… 🥳 🤭
Show threadMrDigitalFeb 22, 2025
@bonno @arstechnica I’m not sure this is the right take. Now that Apple won’t cave even with the resources they have the rest will fall to UKs will like dominos.
Show threadmaybeanerdFeb 21, 2025

@arstechnica wtf do you mean bold stance.
They essentially activated the backdoor for all of UK.

No E2EE means no need for a backdoor to read everything

Show threadColman ReillyFeb 21, 2025
@maybeanerd @arstechnica you know E2E on backups isn't on by default? You're aware most people probably don't have it on?
Show threadFubaroqueFeb 21, 2025
@maybeanerd @arstechnica Better talk to your government. 🤣
Show threadClass WarioFeb 21, 2025
@maybeanerd @arstechnica It’s like a canary version. They’re saying you can’t get end to end encryption if you want to, so yeah, know that for purposes
Show threadFubaroqueFeb 21, 2025
@arstechnica … "As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services, and we never will."… the only correct answer, UK. #fafo