If you live in the UK, the security of your data on Apple devices just took a hit. But if you're anywhere else, you can take steps to bolster your private information. Last week Apple took the unusual step of turning off its highest level of iCloud encryption,

Apple has removed its strongest iCloud data protection for customers in the UK, as a refusal to comply with a government order demanding backdoor access to user data. Apple has a security feature called Advanced Data Protection,

Apple is reportedly refusing to let the UK government into its end-to-end encrypted iCloud backups—so Advanced Data Protection is being pulled. Here's what you need to know.

The service will no longer be available to new users and current U.K. users will need to eventually disable the security feature, Apple said.

Apple removes iCloud Advanced Data Protection in the UK after government demands access, raising privacy concerns.

Apple pulls its advanced data protection service from UK iCloud accounts amid government requests for backdoor access.

A few weeks after the UK demanded Apple to create a backdoor on iCloud's Advanced Data Protection tool, the company removed this feature.

Apple’s ADP feature gives users the option to extend end-to-end encryption to most of their iCloud files, as well as those files’ backups. The backdoor reportedly requested by the U.K. would have enabled authorities to decrypt those files. Apple would not have been allowed to notify customers about the backdoor.

Earlier this year, the UK government asked for the right to see the data, which currently not even Apple can access. The tech giant last week took the unprecedented step of removing its highest level data security tool from customers in the UK.

U.S. officials are examining whether the UK broke a bilateral agreement by reportedly demanding that Apple build a "backdoor" allowing the British government to access backups of data in the company's encrypted cloud storage systems.

Apple on February 21 withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature from the United Kingdom following government demands for backdoor access