Another day, another subtle erosion of personal privacy.
Though it's only happening in the UK (for now), everyone everywhere would be wise to pay attention to a new change Apple has made regarding the protection of user data.
As reported by the BBC, Apple is, at least in part, accommodating the UK government's request to have access to private user data by removing its highest level security tool from its UK users.
Advanced Data Protection (ADP) means only account holders can view items such as photos or documents they have stored online through a process known as end-to-end encryption.
But earlier this month the UK government asked for the right to see the data, which currently not even Apple can access.
Sounds great, right?
Apple has long been resistant to any attempt to turn over access to user data and did not provide any confirmation or denial of the news.
Many people buy Apple specifically for the promise of privacy and security.
Apple did not comment at the time but has consistently opposed creating a ‘backdoor' in its encryption service, arguing that if it did so, it would only be a matter of time before bad actors also found a way in.
Now the tech giant has decided it will no longer be possible to activate ADP in the UK.
Though the development may seem like a bunch of "tech speak," there are reasons for people to be concerned:
Meanwhile, the former UK secretary of defense tried to argue that there's no reason for alarm and got slapped with a community note:
The comment section was not kind.
If the British government can access people's data, then anyone can access that data.
While the change in the level of data security may only be confined to the UK, users can rest assured that other governments will eventually seek to follow suit.
That is if you believe any of your private data was ever "private" to begin with.
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