The UK's demand for an encryption backdoor in iCloud, and Apple's response, have repercussions that go far beyond national borders, threatening user privacy and security worldwide.

In an unprecedented step, Apple caved to a reported U.K. government’s demand to prevent users from using end-to-end encryption in iCloud.

In a dispute over a "backdoor" demand from the British government, Apple has decided to pull its advanced data protection from the British market. The security feature encrypts iCloud data with end-to-end protection.

The company said it was "gravely disappointed" to no longer be able to offer Advanced Data Protection to iPhone users in the UK.

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection iCloud feature from the United Kingdom following government demands for backdoor access to

Apple's decision to withdraw iCloud end-to-end encryption in the United Kingdom has privacy and security advocates worried that the British government could scan