The article discusses the severe implications of security changes announced by Apple, particularly affecting UK users, amidst an increasing threat landscape fueled by advancements in AI and security vulnerabilities. Apple confirmed that due to government pressures in the UK, it can no longer offer advanced data protection (ADP) to new users, effectively removing end-to-end encryption from many apps and making data backups accessible to Apple. This change poses significant risks, particularly as it affects not only UK users but also those who communicate with them, as governments in Europe and the US are pushing for similar regulations.
For UK users with ADP enabled, Apple warns they must change their settings or delete data, as the protection that was previously in place will be disabled. Messaging apps, notably iMessage and WhatsApp, have been impacted; iMessage once had end-to-end encryption but now has vulnerabilities due to the inability to fully use ADP. In contrast, WhatsApp still provides full end-to-end encryption for its backups, although standard iCloud backups have lost this feature.
Apple has not built backdoors into its services but continues to express its commitment to user security. Users worldwide, especially those using iCloud, are encouraged to leverage platforms like WhatsApp that maintain strong encryption. The article emphasizes that the UK’s regulatory environment mirrors those of countries known for strict government control over privacy, highlighting a significant shift in data security for millions of users.
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