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Security first!
A handy guide to maximizing your privacy, with or without iCloud.
Lewis Wallace
March 01, 2025
In partnership with
The U.K. government’s demand for a backdoor into iCloud is misguided, even if it were restricted to British citizens.
But His Majesty's Government wants the backdoor to apply globally, which, luckily, is a nonstarter. U.S. authorities are already pushing back, and there’s no way Apple will comply, given the company's longstanding commitment to privacy.
Unfortunately, Apple already compromised in the United Kingdom, turning off iCloud Advanced Data Protection for British customers.
Advanced Data Protection is an extra layer of security that makes all your iCloud data virtually unbreakable. It end-to-end encrypts everything backed up to iCloud, from your photos to your reminders and everything in between.
ADP is not turned on by default to save Apple from customer service headaches. That’s because the encryption keys to unlock your data are stored locally, on your trusted devices. Customers who own just one Apple device will be forever locked out of their data if they lose that device. And that’s likely a common scenario for iPhone users, who think they’re OK if they lose their device, because at least they’ve got a backup of their photos and contacts.
But that’s not true. There’s no way for Apple or even the National Security Agency to unlock data protected by ADP. It’s encrypted using the AES-256 standard, the most secure encryption method available. Immune to brute-force attacks, it’s so secure that it’s considered quantum-resistant (which is currently untested, but we’ll see in a few years!).
Regular iCloud backups — without Advanced Data Protection — are partly encrypted using the same standard. But lots of data remains unencrypted, including email and recent device backups. Anyone with access to that data has a more or less open book on your life.
In addition, the encryption keys are stored on Apple’s servers. If customers lose their one trusted device, Apple can, and does, help. But it also means that data can be subpoenaed by the authorities, which is why Apple turned off ADP in Britain.
If you live in the United Kingdom, check out our latest guide to making sure your backups are fully protected. If you live elsewhere, it’s a handy guide to the best backup security you can practice.
Also in this edition of The Weekender:
If you don’t know these iPhone password-sharing tricks, you’re missing out on some pure Apple magic.
The first reviews of the iPhone 16e and Powerbeats Pro 2 are a mixed bag. The new Beats earbuds, in particular, take a pretty big beating.
I thought this was fake news at first, but Apple confirms it will fix an iPhone dictation bug that transforms the word “racist” into “Trump.” I knew iPhone dictation was bad, but seriously? It’s probably a prank — and definitely not a good look for Apple.
An innovative split keyboard that comes with a customizable touchscreen is this week’s coolest new offering from Cult of Mac Deals. It looks like an ergonomic dream! We’ve got other fresh products (and some new price drops) as well …
Enjoy your weekend!
— Lewis Wallace, managing editor
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