Apple made a surprising decision to say the least by modifying the security of its iCloud data in the United Kingdom, without really explaining the reasons. This measure, far from trivial, could well change the situation in terms of privacy on a global scale.
Apple folds against London: the end of the advanced iCloud encryption
Apple said it deleted its most advanced encryption function for cloud data from its users in the United Kingdom. This decision affects Advanced Data Protection (ADP), a safety measure that so far guaranteed end -to -end encryption of the files stored on iCloud.
From now on, some data, such as iCloud backups, photos, notes and vocal memos, may be accessible at the request of the authorities via a mandate. On the other hand, passwords, health data, payment information and Imessage newspapers will remain protected by end -to -end encryption.
We are very disappointed that the protections provided by ADP are not available for our customers in the United Kingdom, given the continuous increase in data violations and other customer life threats.
This decision follows the pressures of the British Interior Ministry, led by Yvette Cooper, which would have demanded a door stolen from the encrypted files under the law on the 2016 survey powers, nicknamed the ” Snoopers Charter ».
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Rather than complying with this request, the company would have chosen to deactivate its encryption in the United Kingdom. A decision that may not be enough to appease the government, always deprived of access to the files stored outside the country.
Apple did not comment on this deletion since any revelation of such a request would be contrary to the law on investigation powers.
The company has also reaffirmed its commitment to guarantee ” The highest level of security for the personal data of its users “And said that no stolen carrier, nor” main key Allowing Apple or other parties to access data, would never be integrated into its products or services.
Since Apple does not hold the encryption keys, the company will not be able to deactivate ADP for existing users. She announced that it would soon provide instructions to customers and grant them a delay to deactivate the functionality in order to continue using iCloud services.
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A dangerous previous for privacy
This announcement considered to be unprecedented arouses the concern of the experts, who see it much more than a simple concession:
In the end, once a door exists, it is only a matter of time before it is found and used maliciously. The abolition of ADP is not only a symbolic concession, but a practical weakening of iCloud security for British users.
By yielding to British pressures, Apple is not content to weaken the protection of data from its users: it opens a breach that other governments could exploit to require similar access. This decline raises a major question: if the United Kingdom has won the case, what would prevent other states from doing so?
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Today, only certain iCloud data are concerned, but this exception could quickly expand to other services and types of surveys. This is why Matthew Green, expert in cryptography and professor at Johns Hopkins University, calls on users to activate Advanced Data Protection now:
The more people who will use it, the more difficult it will be to close this path.
This decision sheds light on a paradox of our time: Should we break the seal of secrecy to guarantee security, or is it precisely in the inviolability of encryption that our real protection resides?
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Sources: The Verge, Reuters
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