[DesertRhino]

Even if the Brits passed this law, couldn’t someone simply write an app that installs similar encryption? Apple couldn’t be responsible for that.

[Swordmaker]

Brits passed this law, couldn’t someone simply write an app that installs similar encryption? Apple couldn’t be responsible for that.

Not the same thing at all. . . Apple provides encryption for the device and to and from iCloud, assuring privacy at all levels. An App cannot do that. . . and since Apple curates the App Store, they'd be held responsible for allowing it on the App Store. Damned if the do, damned if they don't.

[zeugma]

Even if the Brits passed this law, couldn’t someone simply write an app that installs similar encryption? Apple couldn’t be responsible for that.

Possibly. How do you trust the authors though? Also, you'd need really good passwords to keep them from being able to brute-force it. If it was an Android, I'd say you could keep your PGP/GPG keys on an SD card, but you can't do that with Apple phones. (one of the few beefs I have with them.)