The UK government just decided no one deserves privacy—not just UK citizens, but everyone worldwide. They demanded Apple hand over access to everyone’s private iCloud data.
In 2022, Apple launched Advanced Data Protection (ADP), an opt-in security feature adding end-to-end encryption to iCloud backups, photos, notes, and more. This ensured only you—not even Apple—could access your data.
But recently, the UK government secretly ordered Apple to build a backdoor into iCloud, citing the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016. Revealing such an order is illegal under UK law, yet someone bravely leaked it anyway, at great personal risk.
Whoever you are: thank you.
If Apple had secretly complied, billions of users would have been dangerously vulnerable—unknowingly relying on security that wasn’t actually secure. Worse, Apple would have been legally barred from telling users that their encryption had been compromised.
Instead, Apple chose transparency. They publicly disabled Advanced Data Protection entirely for UK users. That’s still terrible for privacy—but less harmful, because at least now users are informed and can make safer choices.
- New UK users can’t enable Advanced Data Protection, losing encryption for backups, photos, and notes.
- Existing users will soon have to disable ADP or lose iCloud access.
Apple’s removal of Advanced Data Protection in the UK means your iCloud backups, documents, notes, and other files are no longer end-to-end encrypted. Apple—and thus the UK government—can now access your data.
Encrypted cloud storage services:
- Proton Drive
- CryptDrive
- MEGA
Self-hosted storage solutions:
Encrypt files locally before uploading to non-private drives:
Safari bookmarks were previously encrypted under ADP, but now they’re accessible to Apple and, by extension, the UK government.
Private browser alternatives:
- Brave Browser (built-in tracking protection)
- Mullvad Browser
Additional privacy steps:
- Disable Safari’s iCloud bookmark sync
Without ADP, your iCloud Photos lose end-to-end encryption, allowing Apple and the UK government access to your personal photos.
Encrypted cloud storage specifically for photos:
Additional recommended action:
- Disable iCloud Photos syncing.
With Advanced Data Protection disabled, Apple Notes and Reminders stored in iCloud are now openly accessible to Apple and the UK government.
Encrypted Notes alternatives:
- Standard Notes
- Joplin
- Proton Drive Docs
Encrypted reminders/task management alternatives:
- CryptPad Kanban
- Tasks.org
Additional recommended action:
- Disable iCloud sync for Notes and Reminders.
Apple’s iCloud Mail was never encrypted, meaning your emails have always been accessible to Apple and government authorities.
Encrypted email services:
Additional security step:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your new account.
Calendars and contacts stored on iCloud have never been encrypted, meaning they have open access to your schedule and personal contacts.
Encrypted calendar alternatives:
- Proton Calendar
- Tuta Calendar
Encrypted contacts alternatives:
- Proton Contacts
- Tuta Contacts
Local device storage (maximum privacy):
- Store contacts locally on privacy-focused phones (e.g., GrapheneOS)
Additional recommended action:
- Export data from iCloud immediately and switch to secure, encrypted, or local solutions.
Apple deserves credit for refusing to secretly build a backdoor and for openly pushing back against the UK government. They continue to fight, now instigating a lawsuit against the UK government over these egregious demands. But the outcome still leaves UK users vulnerable. If privacy matters to you, it’s time to move beyond Apple—and perhaps reconsider any mainstream tech company likely facing similar secret demands. Thankfully, great privacy-focused alternatives exist.
Privacy isn’t about hiding; it’s about owning your digital life. Whether you’re an activist, journalist, or simply someone who believes governments shouldn’t rifle through your private data, you have the tools to take back control.
Naomi Brockwell is a privacy advocacy and professional speaker, MC, interviewer, producer, podcaster, specialising in blockchain, cryptocurrency and economics. She runs the
NBTV channel on Youtube.
