UK orders Apple to open up user data

The UK has ordered Apple to give it unprecedented access to encrypted user data stored in Apple’s cloud. The UK government is demanding general access, not just help accessing a specific account, reported by Reuters.

Governments routinely request user data from technology companies to solve criminal cases, but Britain’s sweeping request, published last month, is unprecedented in major democracies. Britain’s Home Office declined to comment, and Apple did not respond to requests for comment.

Advanced Data Protection

Britain issues the notices under its 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which merged various existing powers to intercept and obtain communications. While security officials say data encryption features make it harder to catch criminals, technology companies have long defended their users’ right to privacy.

This is an Apple feature that allows users of its iPhones, Macs and other devices to ensure that only they (and not even Apple) can unlock data stored in its cloud. Most Apple users use security features such as two-factor authentication, but fewer of those who enable these stricter safeguards will turn on Advanced Data Protection.

UK Internet Safety Act

The UK last year consulted on changes to the 2016 law that it said were needed to keep up with technological developments and cyber threats. Apple told parliament that it would never build backdoors into its products, and so the enhanced protections may have to be scrapped in the UK.

The UK Internet Safety Act 2023, which requires companies to take action against child sexual abuse material on their platforms, has also drawn criticism from tech companies. Companies like Meta‘s, WhatsApp, and Signal have argued that this threatens the end-to-end encryption that underpins their messaging services. In 2016, Apple successfully fought a US order to unlock an encrypted iPhone belonging to the shooter in the deadly San Bernardino, California, massacre.