Two years after Apple introduced an encrypted storage feature for iPhone users, the company is pulling those security protections in Britain rather than complying with a government request to create a tool to give law enforcement organizations access to customers’ cloud data. Starting on Friday, iPhone users in Britain will begin seeing a message on their phones saying Apple can no longer offer its Advanced Data Protection feature. Apple is removing the feature after the British government demanded the company create a back door that would allow intelligence agencies and law enforcement officials to retrieve iPhone user data from data centers around the world. The government request came in a secret order early this year, after Britain amended its Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which allows it to compel companies to turn over data and communications to law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Apple is eliminating the feature to avoid creating a back door to users’ cloud data, two people familiar with the request said.
Source link
