The Latest From Kevin The Tech Guy - Friday, Feb 28 2025
Apple’s iCloud change sparks privacy concerns, tips on backing up data, using a YouTube extension for a cleaner experience, and the latest tech news.
💡 Introduction
Hey there,
I’m KevinTheTechGuy.ca. This newsletter is FREE and always will be. If you appreciate my work, please support me monthly or on a one-time basis on my website.
As I mentioned yesterday in a post, I’m making some changes to my Substack to focus on what works best. Going forward, I’ll be prioritizing Quick Tips, mixing in occasional videos, and refining my newsletter to keep things useful and to the point.
There’s already plenty of generic tech news out there, but I want to focus on what actually helps people. If that sounds good to you, stick around—there’s more to come!
In today’s newsletter, we’re diving into a big change from Apple that could have serious implications for privacy—especially if you’re a UK user, but this potentially affects everyone.
Apple recently disabled its Advanced Data Protection for iCloud backups in the UK in response to a new law. I’ll walk you through what this move means, why iCloud backups aren’t as private as you might have thought, and how backing up your data locally might be the safer route. This could be a trend that spreads beyond the UK, so it’s worth understanding the potential risks.
I’ve also got a quick tip on how to back up and restore your Chrome bookmarks—because your online finds deserve to be safe and easily accessible. And for anyone frustrated with YouTube’s algorithm constantly pushing unwanted videos, I’ve got a solution that will make your experience much smoother.
Plus, some quick tech news updates you might have missed. Let’s jump in!
—Kevin The Tech Guy
🚀 What’s on Tap
Apple’s iCloud encryption rollback in the UK: What it means for your privacy and data security.
A practical guide to backing up and restoring your Chrome bookmarks—because every link counts.
A simple solution to take control of your YouTube experience and skip the distractions.
Quick tech news bites: From the new Beeper app to PayPal’s latest phishing threat, plus a comparison of the upcoming iPhone models.
🌍 Apple’s iCloud Encryption Rollback in the UK: What It Means for You, No Matter Where You Live
⏳ The Short Version
In response to a new UK law, Apple just made a big move in the UK, disabling Advanced Data Protection for iCloud backups. What does this mean for privacy, and could other countries be next? In this post, I’ll break down what was said about Apple's decision, how iCloud backups actually work in relation to this, and why encrypting and backing up your data locally might be the smarter move.
🔍 Know More
Apple just disabled Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for iCloud backups in the UK, likely due to government demands for access. Instead of creating a backdoor, Apple removed the option for UK users to encrypt their iCloud backups at all.
While this keeps Apple from handing over global access, it also confirms that iCloud backups aren’t truly private—Apple holds the keys and will cooperate with law enforcement when required.
If you want real privacy, there’s a workaround: back up your iPhone locally, encrypt it, but don’t store it in iCloud..
The bigger issue? This could set a precedent. If the UK gets away with it, other governments might follow, putting encryption—and your data—at even greater risk.
💾 Quick Tip: How To Backup And Restore Your Chrome Bookmarks
⏳ The Short Version
Bookmarks capture your unique online finds. Learn a practical method to back them up and move them seamlessly across devices.
🔍 Know More
Backing up your bookmarks might seem like a small detail, but it’s a simple way to keep your digital workspace organized and resilient against data loss. It’s all about making your browsing experience smoother and ensuring that every useful link you’ve saved is never more than a few clicks away—even if you change devices. Happy browsing!
📺 Kevin’s Picks: Control Panel for YouTube
⏳ The Short Version
Tired of YouTube pushing videos you didn’t ask for? I found a simple way to skip the homepage, go straight to my subscriptions, and hide distractions like chat and suggested videos. Here’s how.
🔍 Know more
YouTube’s algorithm loves to throw distractions my way, but I’ve found a simple fix. Control Panel for YouTube automatically skips the homepage and takes me straight to my subscriptions—no more random video suggestions trying to steal my attention.
It also lets you hide the chat on any channel and remove suggested videos. It’s not about overhauling YouTube. If you’re tired of YouTube deciding what you should watch, this extension might be exactly what you need.
⚡ Tech News You Might Have Missed
The new Beeper app combines all of Automattic’s messaging systems
Beware: PayPal "New Address" feature abused to send phishing emails
📝 Final Thoughts
That’s a wrap for this edition! As we’ve seen, Apple’s decision to disable iCloud encryption in the UK highlights the ongoing tension between privacy and government demands.
If you’re concerned about the security of your data, local backups might be the way to go. And as always, keeping your digital world organized with simple tools—like backing up your bookmarks or taking control of your YouTube feed—can save you time and frustration.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you next time!
—Kevin The Tech Guy
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