#005: Privacy. That’s Apple— except in the UK.

Apple quietly disables iCloud encryption in the UK. The Light Phone adds a camera. NICUs add livestreams for peace of mind.

Author

Siara Singleton
April 04, 2025

In partnership with

In partnership with

Read time: 3 minutes and 33 seconds

PHOTOGRAPH: APPLE (¹)

iSpy: The Quiet Undoing of Apple’s iCloud Encryption in the UK

Apple has long maintained it would never grant backdoor access to user data: not to law enforcement, not to foreign governments, not to anyone. This stance is central to its brand identity. “Privacy. That’s Apple,” as the tagline goes. However, recent demands in the UK suggest that the line may be getting blurrier.

Since 2023, the UK has used its Investigatory Powers Act to pressure companies like Apple to allow access to encrypted data and pre-approve security updates.

Apple has pushed back publicly and legally by filing an appeal against the UK’s demand for a technical backdoor. At the same time, the company quietly disabled a core security feature in the UK: Advanced Data Protection (ADP) (²).

Advanced Data Protection (ADP) is Apple’s strongest privacy feature. It encrypts most of your iCloud data end-to-end, meaning not even Apple can access it. With ADP turned on, your iCloud backups, photos, notes, and messages are locked with a key only you hold.

In plain terms:
No one else—not hackers, not governments, not even Apple—can seeyour device data with ADP.

Unsurprisingly, critics say this puts UK users at risk. Computer Weekly reported that “users of Apple devices in the UK are now at the most risk in the world of being hacked and privacy experts warned that Apple’s concession opens the door to surveillance-by-default.

For now, this rollback only affects UK-based accounts. But the worry is obvious: if one country succeeds in nudging Apple toward compromise, others may follow.

⚖️ Arkansas Judge Blocks Social Media Age Law

A federal judge has ruled Arkansas’s social media age verification law unconstitutional. The law would have required platforms like Instagram and TikTok to confirm users' ages and collect verified parental consent for minors. Civil liberties groups sued, and the court agreed (³).

Meanwhile, other states like Utah, Louisiana, and Ohio have successfully passed similar laws, though not without controversy. Some of these laws are facing legal challenges, but they highlight a growing trend of states attempting to regulate minors' access to social media.​

The dilemma stands: Are these laws a necessary step to protect our kids in the digital playground, or are they overreaching measures that infringe on free speech and privacy?

🤳 Just Dropped: The Light Phone III— Everything You Need & Nothing You Don’t.

Image of the Light Phone III.

PHOTOGRAPH: LIGHT (⁴)

This bootstrapped phone brand just released the third version of its famous Light Phone (⁵). Known for its matte, e-ink (now OLED) screen and minimalist features, the Light Phone has always marketed itself as the anti-distraction phone. No feeds. No social media. No email.

Light Phone fans are usually chasing something deeper than convenience. They want clarity. Intentionality. A reset.

To satisfy users who couldn’t quite give up some of their coveted smartphone features, the new version includes a few much-requested upgrades: a built-in camera, USB-C charging, an NFC chip for tap-to-pay, and a larger OLED screen.

Could you replace your smartphone with a phone that does not have social media, an app store, or an algorithm telling you what to look at next?

The Light Phone Founder does. Learn more below 👀

NEXT WEEK: SIARA INTERVIEWS THE MIND BEHIND THE LIGHT PHONE

What happens when a phone is designed to be used as little as possible?

Joe Hollier, co-founder of the Light Phone, joins Log Out to talk about building a minimalist device in a world obsessed with more.

We discuss why he stopped using a smartphone six years ago, how Light users reclaim their time and peace of mind, and why even Kendrick Lamar got on board. Joe explains the growing movement of people ditching infinite feeds and what our tech future could look like if more companies followed suit.

Tune in Thursday, April 10th at 6 AM EST next week.

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

PHOTOGRAPH: TriStar Centennial Medical Center

NICUs ADD CAMERAS TO HELP PARENTS FEEL LESS FAR

Several Philly hospitals have equipped their NICUs with “Angel Eye” cameras, letting parents of premature babies check in anytime, from anywhere (6). The 24/7 livestream gives families a sense of comfort during an otherwise fragile, anxious time. It’s a small tech shift with a big emotional impact.

Now, this is proof that when used with care, technology can deepen connections right where they are needed most. We’re cheering on AngelEye Health!

We hope you’re entering the weekend a little more informed and inspired. See you next week!

Now go touch grass.

- Siara

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please support Log Out by subscribing to our podcast or sharing this newsletter with a friend.

Have questions, want to contribute to the report, or have a guest suggestion for the Log Out Podcast? Email [email protected].

Sources

(⁴) IMAGE: Introducing the Light Phone III | Light Phone Youtube Channel