[GeekyBear]

Apple literally removed encrypted file storage as a feature in the UK rather than comply with demands for access to encrypted customer data from the UK government.

Previously, they refused US government demands for a backdoor that would allow them to unlock locked devices.

[pepperoni_pizza]

> Apple literally removed encrypted file storage as a feature in the UK rather than comply with demands for access to encrypted customer data from the UK government.

Does that mean that instead of UK government accessing the data (through a backdoor), UK government can now access to data (because it's not encrypted at all)?

[basisword]

They removed a specific (non-default) feature which provided end to end encryption rather than build a backdoor. They continue to offer encrypted backups etc. although they hold the keys. So not great but also not a backdoor that breaks encryption for everyone and can potential be accessed without legal oversight.

[GeekyBear]

To be a bit more clear:

They offer standard encryption by default, where they hold a copy of your encryption key and can assist you if you lose access to your key.

They also allow you to opt into advanced data protection, where they do not have a copy of your encryption key, so you need to be sure you protect it yourself.

If a company has a copy of the customer's encryption key on their server, you have no choice but to hand it over in response to a warrant, as we recently saw with Microsoft handing over the bitlocker key for a customer's computer.

[GeekyBear]

Nope.

After Apple's announcement that they would remove encryption from UK users rather than weaken it, the bad press and public pressure forced the UK government to back down.

[clutter55561]

Not exactly. Apple kept it for existing users but stopped offering it to new users. So new users are vulnerable.

[GeekyBear]

Nope.

> UK backs down in Apple privacy row, US says

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdj2m3rrk74o