UK users reportedly denied Apple's strongest iCloud encryption

Apple has reportedly stopped offering its strongest iCloud encryption to new users in the UK. This change reportedly happened after the UK government ordered Apple to provide access to encrypted iCloud data. The UK government reportedly issued a Technical Capability Notice to Apple in January 2025, requesting that Apple create a way to access encrypted iCloud data belonging to Apple users worldwide.

The Technical Capability Notice is a legal instruction that requires a communications or technology provider to maintain or develop the capability to comply with certain requirements. Before issuing a Technical Capability Notice, the government is obliged to consider things such as technical feasibility, cost, likely benefits, and the number of users affected. A Technical Capability Notice requires approval from a Judicial Commissioner, and the recipient of a Technical Capability Notice is generally gagged from revealing its existence or contents without the UK Secretary of State's permission.

Apple's position on the matter is reportedly in line with its previous stance: deliberately weakening end-to-end encryption, for whatever purpose or for whomever the intended beneficiary, would make every user less secure. This change reportedly affects the security of new UK iCloud users. It is unclear how many users are affected and what the long-term implications are.

The change reportedly happened after a decade-long dispute between Apple and the US government over access to encrypted data. In 2015, the FBI obtained a court order to compel Apple to help them access an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists. Apple demurred, arguing that creating a backdoor would be too dangerous. The FBI eventually obtained access using a third party and withdrew its legal action against Apple.

The change reportedly affects the security of new UK iCloud users. It is unclear how many users are affected and what the long-term implications are. The change reportedly happened after the UK government ordered Apple to provide access to encrypted iCloud data. The UK government reportedly issued a Technical Capability Notice to Apple in January 2025, requesting that Apple create a way to access encrypted iCloud data belonging to Apple users worldwide.