Advanced Data Protection (ADP), is an opt-in tool on Apple’s iCloud service which meant only an account holder could access the “majority” of file types such as photos or notes, as they were end-to-end encrypted – meaning even Apple cannot access them.
It was reported earlier this month that the UK Government had made a request to Apple, under the Investigatory Powers Act, to get broad access to encrypted files uploaded to iCloud, including those secured by end-to-end encryption under ADP.
But even without ADP in place, Apple said more than a dozen iCloud data categories are still end-to-end encrypted by default, including health data and its password management system, iCloud Keychain.
In order to provide such access, Apple would have to create a security “backdoor” – a new key that would allow the Government to get around the encryption and access the files.
The Government’s request to Apple was an attempt to force the firm to break its own encryption systems, and allow police and security services to more easily access such data when needed.
