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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.

UK Demands Unprecedented Access to Apple Users’ Encrypted Cloud Data

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The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to provide broad access to encrypted user data stored on its cloud service, according to a Washington Post report on Friday. This request is reportedly far-reaching, as it seeks blanket access to all encrypted data, rather than just a specific account, making it one of the most expansive demands in major democracies.

The order comes under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, which allows the government to intercept communications and obtain data for security purposes. However, the level of access demanded from Apple in this case has never been requested before. The UK Interior Ministry has declined to comment, and Apple did not respond to inquiries outside of regular business hours.

Apple’s cloud services offer a feature called Advanced Data Protection, allowing users to lock their data with encryption that only they can unlock. This system is a safeguard that even Apple cannot override, ensuring user privacy. However, the UK government’s demand seeks to bypass these privacy protections, raising significant concerns about privacy and encryption rights.

This order follows a broader UK initiative to update its laws, including changes to the Investigatory Powers Act and the introduction of the Online Safety Act of 2023. The latter requires companies to address harmful content, such as child sexual abuse material, on their platforms, but tech firms like Meta (with WhatsApp) and Signal have voiced concerns about how such regulations could undermine encryption.

In the past, Apple has resisted similar government demands. In 2016, the company fought off a U.S. court order to unlock an encrypted iPhone connected to a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.