Apple Files Lawsuit Against UK in Data Privacy Disagreement
Apple has initiated a legal challenge against the British government's request for a backdoor into secured iCloud data, as reported by FT. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The British government has demanded that Apple unlock protected user information stored in its cloud service worldwide.
According to the Financial Times, US tech giant Apple has taken legal action against the UK government regarding a request to create a backdoor to its encrypted iCloud service, citing sources familiar with the situation. Reports indicate that Apple has filed a case with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which reviews complaints against UK security services.
This action appears to be the first legal challenge to the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act and its requirements for companies to bypass encryption. In January, Apple received a “technical capability notice” under this act, specifically targeting its Advanced Data Protection feature, which serves as an additional layer of encryption for iCloud. The notice mandated that Apple provide a way to decrypt user data protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only users have access to their information.
In response, Apple opted to withdraw its most secure online backup service from the UK last month rather than comply with the demand. The company has expressed disappointment over this action, having previously stated it would not compromise its security features. Nonetheless, the British government maintains that Apple has not adhered to its order, as reported by FT.
The tribunal is set to assess the legality of the notice issued to Apple and could potentially nullify it if found unlawful. The case may be heard as early as this month, although it remains uncertain if any details of the hearing will be made public. The government is expected to argue for restrictions based on national security considerations.
The order has faced backlash from US officials, including former President Donald Trump, who criticized it for privacy violations that could jeopardize the data agreement between the two nations. Trump likened the situation to practices associated with China, cautioning British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “You can’t do this.”
The UK government contends that penetrating encryption is crucial for safeguarding the public against terrorist threats and for investigating child sexual abuse. A spokesperson for the UK Home Office stated, “The UK has a long-standing position of protecting our citizens from the very worst crimes, such as child sex abuse and terrorism, at the same time as protecting people’s privacy.”
For years, Western governments have urged Big Tech to circumvent encryption, which experts deem essential in combating increasing online dangers.
While Apple did not provide a comment on its legal challenge, the company pointed to a statement it released last month in which it declared it could “no longer offer” iCloud ADP in the UK. Apple has consistently maintained that it would “never build a backdoor or master key” to any of its products or services.
The request for a backdoor to user data would enable law enforcement and security agencies, with a court-approved warrant, to access iPhone backups and other encrypted cloud data that even Apple cannot retrieve, according to FT.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
According to the Financial Times, US tech giant Apple has taken legal action against the UK government regarding a request to create a backdoor to its encrypted iCloud service, citing sources familiar with the situation. Reports indicate that Apple has filed a case with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which reviews complaints against UK security services.
This action appears to be the first legal challenge to the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act and its requirements for companies to bypass encryption. In January, Apple received a “technical capability notice” under this act, specifically targeting its Advanced Data Protection feature, which serves as an additional layer of encryption for iCloud. The notice mandated that Apple provide a way to decrypt user data protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only users have access to their information.
In response, Apple opted to withdraw its most secure online backup service from the UK last month rather than comply with the demand. The company has expressed disappointment over this action, having previously stated it would not compromise its security features. Nonetheless, the British government maintains that Apple has not adhered to its order, as reported by FT.
The tribunal is set to assess the legality of the notice issued to Apple and could potentially nullify it if found unlawful. The case may be heard as early as this month, although it remains uncertain if any details of the hearing will be made public. The government is expected to argue for restrictions based on national security considerations.
The order has faced backlash from US officials, including former President Donald Trump, who criticized it for privacy violations that could jeopardize the data agreement between the two nations. Trump likened the situation to practices associated with China, cautioning British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “You can’t do this.”
The UK government contends that penetrating encryption is crucial for safeguarding the public against terrorist threats and for investigating child sexual abuse. A spokesperson for the UK Home Office stated, “The UK has a long-standing position of protecting our citizens from the very worst crimes, such as child sex abuse and terrorism, at the same time as protecting people’s privacy.”
For years, Western governments have urged Big Tech to circumvent encryption, which experts deem essential in combating increasing online dangers.
While Apple did not provide a comment on its legal challenge, the company pointed to a statement it released last month in which it declared it could “no longer offer” iCloud ADP in the UK. Apple has consistently maintained that it would “never build a backdoor or master key” to any of its products or services.
The request for a backdoor to user data would enable law enforcement and security agencies, with a court-approved warrant, to access iPhone backups and other encrypted cloud data that even Apple cannot retrieve, according to FT.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
