EXPLORINEER
en

Archive — US — techcrunch

UK quietly scrubs encryption advice from government websites

The U.K. government has removed encryption advice from its websites, shortly after seeking backdoor access to Apple’s iCloud. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advised encryption previously but now suggests using Apple’s Lockdown Mode instead. This has raised security concerns among experts, as Apple faces a challenge regarding the U.K.'s data access order.

Key points

  • The U.K. government deleted encryption advice from its web pages.
  • Security expert Alec Muffet discovered the change and reported it.
  • The NCSC previously recommended encryption tools to protect sensitive data.
  • The original document is still available via the Wayback Machine.
  • The updated advice does not mention encryption and instead promotes Lockdown Mode.
  • Apple was ordered to create a backdoor for accessing encrypted iCloud data.
  • Apple removed its Advanced Data Protection feature from the U.K. market.
  • Apple is contesting the data access order legally.

Why it matters

  • In 2025, trends show a growing concern over data privacy and government surveillance.
  • Emergence of new encryption standards and techniques to counteract backdoor demands.
  • Public discourse around the balance between national security and personal privacy intensifying.

The removal of encryption guidance by the U.K. government raises significant privacy concerns, reflecting ongoing tensions between user security and government oversight, particularly as Apple confronts legal challenges regarding encrypted data access.