What is ADP?
Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for iCloud, is the optional extra layer of end-to-end encryption for backups, photos, Drive files and several other iCloud categories
Why ADP was withdrawn
In early 2025 the UK Home Office is reported to have served Apple a secret Technical Capability Notice under the Investigatory Powers Act (often called the “Snoopers’ Charter”). That kind of notice can require a company to make encrypted data accessible to law enforcement. Apple has long said it will not build a back door or master key into its products. Rather than weaken encryption worldwide, it pulled ADP from the UK.
Apple’s position:
- ADP means only you can decrypt that iCloud data, even Apple cannot.
- A back door for one government would weaken the same system for everyone.
- It would rather withdraw the feature in Britain than create that capability.
New UK users can no longer turn ADP on. Existing users were later told they would have to switch it off to keep using iCloud. Britain is the only country where Apple has done this. Apple is still challenging the order in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal; until that is resolved, ADP stays unavailable.
What is still encrypted
This did not turn off encryption across Apple’s products. These remain end-to-end encrypted in the UK:
- iMessage
- FaceTime
- iCloud Keychain
- Health data
- other categories that are encrypted by default
What UK users lost is the optional extra protection on:
- iCloud Backup
- iCloud Drive
- Photos
- Notes, Reminders, Safari bookmarks
- Voice Memos, Wallet passes, Freeform, Siri Shortcuts
Without ADP those sit under Standard Data Protection: Apple holds the keys and can hand data over if served with a valid legal request.
What about everyone else?
It is sad to see the UK, a country which was once considered a free liberal democracy, further decays into a 1984 parody of itself. It is also fair to ask why Microsoft, Google, Oracle and others have not made a similar public stand, especially considering that these companies all benefit from large government contracts.
It also goes without saying the the alternatives to US tech products which are being funded by the EU, all through politically selected companies, will inevitably be compromised by designed. Will these products be forced on consumers through fines and threats ?
Read Apples own statement here: support.apple.com/en-us/122234
