The UK government is reportedly reiterating its request for Apple to grant backdoor access to encrypted iCloud user data, despite previous indications that this initiative was abandoned in August. According to The Financial Times, a new technical capability notice (TCN) was issued by the UK Home Office in early September, with a focus on accessing backups of British citizens’ iCloud accounts.
In August, former politician Tulsi Gabbard mentioned on X that the UK had agreed to drop its requirement for Apple to implement a ‘backdoor’ that would enable access to encrypted data of American citizens, citing concerns about civil liberties. Following discussions during President Trump’s state visit to the UK, U.S. officials expressed worries regarding the order. However, two senior British government figures reportedly indicated that the UK is no longer facing pressure from the U.S. to withdraw its requests.
Apple has been contacted for a response regarding the situation, but the UK Home Office has declined to comment. This renewed push by the UK government to access encrypted data raises concerns about potential implications for global security and privacy. Privacy International, a non-profit organization focused on privacy rights, warned that if Apple were to compromise its end-to-end encryption for the UK, it could set a precedent affecting users worldwide. The organization emphasized that such a vulnerability could be exploited by hostile states, criminals, and other malicious actors, raising questions about the broader impacts of the UK’s demands on user security.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/789985/apple-uk-revived-secret-order-encryption-backdoor