Apple Challenges UK Government’s Demand for Access to Encrypted Cloud Data
Apple has taken legal action against the UK government’s directive that seeks broad access to users’ encrypted cloud data, escalating an ongoing dispute over data privacy.
The tech giant has filed an appeal with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, a court responsible for handling cases related to UK security services, as reported by the Financial Times. The dispute stems from a secret order issued by the UK Home Office in January, requiring Apple to grant law enforcement unrestricted access to encrypted iCloud data in cases of national security concerns.
Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature ensures end-to-end encryption of iCloud data, making it inaccessible even to Apple itself. Instead of compromising encryption, Apple opted to disable ADP for users in the UK, a move that allows the company to access certain user data when legally required. While Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to user security, it expressed disappointment over the necessity of this decision.
The controversy has drawn global attention, with former U.S. President Donald Trump likening the UK’s order to surveillance policies seen in authoritarian regimes. Meanwhile, a UK government spokesperson defended the directive, stating that privacy is only impacted in exceptional cases involving serious crimes like terrorism and child exploitation.
Apple’s appeal is set to be reviewed in the coming weeks, with privacy advocates closely monitoring the outcome.
