Apple Retracts Data Encryption Feature in the UK

Apple has recently announced a new iCloud feature that allows users to have even more security by building in an advanced data encryption system into all iCloud stored files. iCloud is Apple’s cloud storage system which allows users to store a copy of all user files in iCloud onto an Apple server. With the advanced data protection that Apple offers, a user can create a secret password (usually written down and stored physically) that decrypts the data. With this system, Apple cannot even access the data since they only store a hash, the password converted into a string of text by an algorithm, which is practically impossible to crack.

However, in the UK, new demands to be able to access data pushed Apple to retract data encryption away from iCloud. The government pushed for the removal of encryption since law enforcement agencies cannot even access encrypted data without a warrant, allowing criminals to easily and safely store incriminating evidence. Although iCloud was affected, other Apple encryption services like iMessage encryption remained. United Kingdom iCloud users either need to store data locally, which will guarantee privacy, or must find alternative cloud services to continue to have encrypted storage.

The retraction of data encryption for iCloud was the first time that Apple obliged to giving up user privacy for a government agency. One of Apple’s core principles is to maintain privacy. For example, Apple infamously refused to give any data on the phone of the San Bernadino shooter to the FBI in 2016. This new turn sets a precedent for Apple and may change the course of its policy and ethos to prioritize user privacy less which is concerning.

Why is data privacy so important?

                  Although it may seem reasonable that the authorities want to reduce user data privacy in order to find illegal and incriminating data on suspects of crime, there is a large cost that follows with less data privacy. The lack of encryption on iCloud means that any hacker that is able to access a user’s Apple account will be able to access all stored files, photos, apps, and etc. One major attack that occurred before Apple implemented this feature was the 2014 celebrity nude photo leak where hundreds of private photos of different celebrities stored in iCloud were leaked. With the new encryption feature, this would have easily been prevented. Furthermore, in countries with oppressive and authoritarian governments, lack of encryption could mean life or death.