Apple may soon be planning to remove two key features from its iPhones in the UK. The company’s iMessage and FaceTime platforms may be disabled in the region due to an ongoing regulatory issue.

Apple refuses to comply with new online security bill

The Cupertino-based giant is opposing a new internet security bill similar to WhatsApp and Signal. For those who don’t know, the UK government is planning to enact an internet security law that will regulate messaging services. In other words, the government will actually be able to monitor your messages to detect CSAM (child sexual exploitation material) and other illegal content.

Online security billing also requires access to messages based on end-to-end encryption. The bill has already been criticized by WhatsApp and Signal, which have also withdrawn their services from the country. Now, it looks like Apple is also shutting down iMessage and FaceTime as it refuses to make country-specific changes that could affect its security features. If the bill goes into effect, it will be the biggest threat to the data security and privacy of UK citizens.

The Internet Security Act has been under discussion for 8 weeks now. Tech companies like Apple are hoping the government will consider their feedback and review the bill. So stay tuned for more as we provide updates as more information on the subject becomes available.