Apple is known for its strict data protection practices, but the company is forced to downgrade its security in the UK.
All British users who have not yet engaged his Advanced Data Protection (ADP) coding now lose the chance to do this. For those who already use ADP, Apple will soon offer further guidance.
ADP is a security function that protects iCloud data with full distance coding, which means that only the user has access to his information on his trusted devices. Without this function, nine categories of iCloud – data – including back -ups, photos, notes and voicemails – will be subject to the less protected standard coding.
However, Apple emphasizes that 14 categories of iCloud data, including iCloud key ring and health information, remain protected with full end-to-end coding. Moreover, the coding of messaging services such as iMessage and Facetime, which remain coded worldwide, even in the UK, is not influenced.
Apple publishes a big disappointment that ADP can no longer be offered in the UK, especially in view of the increase in data breaches and other security threats.
“We are seriously disappointed that the protection of ADP will no longer be available to our customers in the UK. Strengthening the security of cloud storage with end-to-end coding is more important than ever. Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and we hope to do this in the UK in the future. “
Moreover, Apple emphasizes that it has never created and will never make, backdoors or “master keys” for its products and services.
For British users who have already engaged ADP, Apple will give further guidelines on how to proceed. Apple cannot switch off the function automatically, but users must disable it themselves within a certain time frame to continue to use their iCloud accounts.
ADP remains available in the rest of the world as before.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication MacWorld Sweden And was translated and adapted from Swedish.