The Advanced Data Protection (ADP) system was introduced by Apple in 2022 to encrypt data backed up to iCloud end-to-end (E2E). Through it, even if data in iCloud is stolen, photos, notes, and various other content belonging to users will not be readable. However, last week ADP was turned off for users in the United Kingdom for global user security.
The UK government asked Apple to create a backdoor for the ADP system to allow user data in the country to be spied on for security purposes. Apple refused to comply with this instruction because it created a risk to all users of their products if the backdoor was successfully accessed by hackers. Therefore, ADP is now turned off across the UK regardless of whether it is for old or new users.
The good news for Apple product users in the UK is that iCloud Keychain, Health, iMessage, and FaceTime data still support E2E. Affected since last Friday are iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Safari bookmarks, Siri Shortcuts, Voice Memos, Freeform and passes stored in Wallet.