Apple’s Quiet Capitulation: Why Weakening Data Protection Is a Terrible Idea—But the Fight Isn’t Over

Apple’s decision to strip out its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) tool in the UK under government pressure is deeply concerning—it’s a move that chips away at the foundation of digital security. While Apple did not fully capitulate by creating a government-mandated backdoor, its willingness to weaken security in response to legal pressure raises serious questions. This decision sends a troubling message: user security is not guaranteed when governments apply enough force. And that should worry all of us, not just people in the UK.

The Myth of ‘Balanced’ Security

The UK’s Online Safety Act is being used as justification for this rollback. Officials claim it’s about protecting children and fighting crime—a well-worn argument that’s been used time and time again to justify surveillance overreach. But here’s the thing: there is no such thing as a 'middle ground' for encryption. Either it’s secure, or it’s not. Once you start making exceptions, you create weaknesses that won’t just be exploited by governments—they’ll be exploited by cybercriminals, too.

Not the Worst-Case Scenario, But Still a Dangerous One

There’s a distinction to be made here. Apple may have removed ADP in the UK, but it did not build in a government-mandated backdoor. Had it done so, encryption would have been weakened globally, exposing billions of users to surveillance and cyber threats. That’s not to say Apple should be let off the hook—but it does mean that the encryption community’s advocacy and pressure have had an impact. Someone also felt the risk was worth taking to leak the secret technical capability notice, ensuring that this backdoor push was exposed to the public.

Why This Puts Everyone at Risk

Encryption isn’t just a feature—it’s the backbone of online security. When Apple disables ADP in the UK, it doesn’t just affect users there. It opens the door to a range of consequences:

• Government Overreach: If one government can pressure Apple into weakening encryption, others will follow. And not all of them will have democratic safeguards.
• Cybercrime Boom: Weakening security doesn’t just help law enforcement; it also makes life easier for hackers. If there’s a vulnerability, it will be found and exploited.
• A Dangerous Precedent: If Apple has done this for the UK, what’s stopping other governments from making the same demand? Once the first domino falls, others are likely to follow.

Apple’s Reputation at Risk

Apple has spent years positioning itself as the champion of privacy. But actions speak louder than marketing slogans, and this move has taken a bite out of what was once a clear and uncompromising stance. If Apple is willing to weaken security protections in one market, users have every right to ask: where else will it compromise? And what happens when other governments start knocking on its door with similar demands?

The Fight for Encryption Is Far From Over

While this decision is a blow, it should also be a rallying point. The encryption community’s swift and coordinated response has already made an impact. The UK government has faced widespread backlash, including from international legislators questioning their data-sharing agreements with the UK. The pressure needs to continue—not just in the UK, but globally, to prevent other governments from following suit.

UK citizens, businesses, and media must be made aware that this move has made them less safe, not more. And beyond the UK, we need to ensure this precedent doesn’t spread. The fight for encryption is ongoing, and if we don’t hold the line now, we may not get another chance.