The Digital Security Digest, by Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), is a weekly newsletter with security tips that keep you, your sources, and your devices safe. If someone shared this newsletter with you, please subscribe here.

Apple challenges UK government on demands for encrypted user data

Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud gives users the option to enable end-to-end encryption on their cloud backups. This prevents Apple, as well as third parties sending legal requests, from obtaining backed-up files from iCloud accounts.

Last year, the British government secretly ordered the company to provide access to users around the world, even if they used Advanced Data Protection for iCloud. After this demand was dropped after protests from Apple and the U.S. government, the U.K. tried again. According to the Financial Times, in July Apple filed another legal complaint at the U.K.’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal to limit government access to encrypted user data. Read more.

What you can do

Apple users: Try Advanced Data Protection. Many of the journalists we work with depend on Apple’s iCloud services. It’s important to understand that, by default, many types of data you back up to iCloud are not end-to-end encrypted. This includes sensitive messages and files, such as exchanges via iMessage, or photos backed up to iCloud. If you haven’t done so, we recommend journalists use Advanced Data Protection to enable end-to-end encryption for iCloud. To learn more and get started setting it up, read our analysis. (Unfortunately, there is no equivalent feature in Android.)

Updates from our team

  • So you are a journalist writing a story that you know is going to get blowback, and you are concerned about doxxing — someone gathering and publishing information about you. Our most recent advice column addresses a few things you can do to get ahead of this risk. Give it a read.
  • Are you coming to the Hackers on Planet Earth conference in New York this month? Our own Davis Erin Anderson will be around. Come say hi.
  • We’re looking forward to our upcoming 2026 Digital Security Clinic for documentary filmmakers, co-hosted by FPF and Field of Vision. Join us starting Aug. 13 for five free sessions covering essential digital security topics: risk assessment, secure communication, travel safety, footage protection, digital footprint management, and artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Sign up here.

Our team is always ready to assist journalists with digital security concerns. Reach out here, and stay safe and secure out there.

Best,
Martin

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Martin Shelton
Deputy Director of Digital Security
Freedom of the Press Foundation