UK Government removes encryption guidance after calls for iCloud backdoor access

The UK government has removed encryption advice from its official web pages, shortly after requesting backdoor access to encrypted data stored on Apple’s iCloud service.

The change was noticed by security expert Alec Muffett, who highlighted in a blog post that the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) no longer recommends encryption for high-risk individuals.

Previously, the NCSC had advised the use of encryption tools such as Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for secure iCloud backups, which provide end-to-end encryption to ensure only the user has access to their data.

However, the webpage now redirects to a different page with no mention of encryption, instead recommending Apple’s Lockdown Mode—a security feature designed to limit access to certain phone functions.

Muffett pointed out that the original advice is no longer available on government sites, though it can still be accessed via the Wayback Machine.

This development follows reports that the UK government requested Apple to build a backdoor to access encrypted iCloud data.

In response, Apple removed the ADP feature for new users in the UK and stated that existing users would eventually need to disable it. Apple is reportedly challenging the UK’s data access order in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.