Apple is removing its Advanced Data Protection tool from UK customers after the government demanded access to user data under the Investigatory Powers Act. The move means UK customer data stored on iCloud will no longer be fully encrypted, despite Apple's strong stance against creating encryption backdoors. This decision has sparked criticism from privacy advocates and US politicians who view it as a threat to security.
South Korea has accused Chinese AI startup DeepSeek of sharing user data with ByteDance, leading to its removal from app stores. The accusation follows cybersecurity concerns and potential data sharing with Chinese state-owned entities, though the extent of data transfer remains unclear. Multiple countries have banned DeepSeek from government devices amid privacy concerns.
The UK government has ordered Apple to create an iCloud backdoor for encrypted data access, presenting Apple with three options: comply with potential global implications, exit the UK market entirely, or decentralize iCloud to allow third-party providers and self-hosting solutions.