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UK Renews Push for Apple to Open Cloud Access for British User Data

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The British government has issued a new order to Apple (AAPL.O) demanding the creation of a backdoor into its iCloud storage service — this time limited to British users’ data, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The move marks the government’s second attempt to gain access to encrypted data stored by Apple, following the company’s appeal earlier this year against a broader order that sought access to both UK and U.S. citizens’ data. The earlier mandate was dropped after U.S. intelligence officials, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, warned that such access could expose sensitive personal data to cybercriminals and foreign governments.

APPLE MAINTAINS REFUSAL TO CREATE BACKDOOR

Apple reiterated its long-standing position that it will not build a backdoor into its systems, citing user privacy and global security risks. “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services — and we never will,” Apple said in a statement on Wednesday.

The company also confirmed that it was forced to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for UK users in February due to the government’s demands. The feature, which offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud data, ensures that only the user — not even Apple — can decrypt stored information.

“Apple is still unable to offer Advanced Data Protection in the United Kingdom to new users, and current users will eventually need to disable this feature,” the company said. “ADP protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, meaning only the user can access it on trusted devices.”

GOVERNMENT DEFENDS SECURITY ACTIONS

A spokesperson for the UK government declined to confirm the existence of the new order but said:

“We will always take all actions necessary at the domestic level to keep UK citizens safe.”

The latest demand comes under Britain’s Investigatory Powers Act, often called the “Snooper’s Charter,” which allows the government to compel tech firms to provide access to encrypted communications under certain conditions.

Apple’s ongoing appeal against the earlier order is being heard by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), the UK’s top court for intelligence-related cases.

The standoff underscores the growing global tension between governments seeking digital surveillance capabilities and technology companies defending encryption as a cornerstone of privacy and cybersecurity.

Apple Challenges UK Order on Encryption Access, Tribunal Confirms Appeal

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Apple Pushes Back Against UK Encryption Access Order, Tribunal Reveals

Apple is formally challenging a directive from the British government that would require the company to create a “back door” into its encrypted cloud services. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which oversees intelligence and surveillance issues in the UK, confirmed on Monday that the tech giant has launched an appeal against the order.

In a written ruling, the IPT rejected a request by the British government to keep the basic details of the case confidential — including the fact that Apple is the one contesting the demand. This means the public now has visibility into the dispute, which centers around encryption standards and government access to private user data.

While both Apple and the UK Home Office declined to comment immediately, earlier reports from The Washington Post indicated that the UK had issued a “technical capability notice” compelling Apple to make encrypted user data — including messages and photos — accessible, regardless of a user’s location. If enforced, this could set a precedent affecting not just UK users but Apple’s global encryption policies.

Apple has consistently maintained its stance against building back doors into its devices or services, warning that any such access point could be exploited by bad actors, not just government agencies. In response to the UK’s regulatory pressure, Apple recently removed its most advanced cloud encryption feature, Advanced Data Protection, for new users in the UK — a move that underscores the serious implications of the ongoing legal and policy battle.

UK and US in Talks to Settle Dispute Over Apple Encryption Policies

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British and U.S. officials have engaged in private discussions to address concerns that the UK is pressuring Apple Inc. to weaken encryption protections for American users. According to sources familiar with the matter, the talks were initiated by British authorities following backlash over their request for Apple to bypass encryption in specific national security and criminal investigations.

The controversy intensified after Apple disabled its most advanced encrypted cloud storage feature in the UK, a move seen as a direct response to the British mandate issued in January. This development raised alarms in the U.S., where officials fear that any precedent allowing government access to encrypted data could undermine privacy and cybersecurity on a global scale.

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently called for an inquiry into the issue, describing it as a “clear and egregious violation of Americans’ privacy and civil liberties.” She further warned that creating a backdoor for UK authorities could expose Apple users’ data to exploitation by hostile cyber actors. Apple has appealed the UK’s directive, with the case set to be heard in a closed-door session at London’s High Court due to national security concerns.

Neither Apple nor Gabbard’s office has commented on the matter. Meanwhile, UK officials insist they are not seeking unrestricted access to private communications but are instead looking for a balanced approach to national security. However, critics argue that any compromise on encryption could set a dangerous precedent, potentially affecting users beyond the UK and the U.S.