The UK government has demanded that Apple create a backdoor to access encrypted data stored in iCloud, impacting millions of users worldwide. This secret order, issued last month, requires Apple to grant law enforcement the ability to view encrypted content across all cloud backups, regardless of the user’s location.
According to The Washington Post, the UK’s demand is embedded within the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, often criticised as the ‘Snoopers’ Charter,’ which allows authorities to compel companies to assist in accessing encrypted information. The order would force Apple to bypass its strongest privacy feature, Advanced Data Protection, ensuring only users can unlock their data.
This protection has become a key differentiator for Apple, especially after the company made privacy a major selling point for these devices. Nonetheless, this announcement did not prevent the trillion-dollar enterprise from maintaining close ties with law enforcement agencies.
However, The Post notes that Apple is likely to resist the order. Sources suggest that while Apple may stop offering encrypted storage within the UK, it would likely continue to provide these services in other countries, including the United States, where the UK’s request for global access is a significant point of contention.
The company has argued that the UK’s demand could compromise security for all its users, regardless of nationality.
The U.K. Home Office oversees national security and law enforcement operations and has not publicly commented on the request. However, Apple is reportedly preparing to challenge the order through legal means, potentially invoking a secret panel and a judge to weigh the proportionality and feasibility of the request.
Despite this, the law prohibits Apple from delaying compliance while the case is under review.
This situation highlights the growing tensions between the government and the big tech companies over encryption. Law enforcement agencies argue that encrypted communications protect criminal activity, including terrorism and child abuse, while tech companies and privacy advocates maintain that backdoors for governments could lead to widespread abuse, especially in authoritarian regimes.
The UK’s request also raises concerns that other governments, such as China, might demand similar backdoor access if successful. In response, Apple may withdraw its encrypted storage service entirely in countries that push for such access, further complicating the international tech landscape.
In 2023, the UK government gained access to DeepMind, OpenAI, and Anthropic models.
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