The UK government is reportedly seeking broader access to Apple customer data than previously acknowledged, as indicated by a recent court document. A dispute arose when it became known that the Home Office requested access to encrypted user data stored under Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service.
The document suggests that the request, made under the Investigatory Powers Act, could allow the government to pursue a wider array of customer data. There are also implications that the UK government might still be interested in accessing data from non-UK users, despite US officials asserting that the demand had been withdrawn.
While the UK government has stated that such data access would only be sought in cases related to national security, it had previously been reported that it intended to access encrypted data stored in Apple’s cloud service, encompassing any content protected by ADP. The encryption employed by the service is end-to-end, ensuring that only the account holder can access their data, effectively preventing even Apple from viewing it. This is an opt-in feature that not all users activate, and while it enhances data security, it presents challenges for users who might lose access to their accounts.
In a related development, a technical capability notice (TCN) may have been issued to Apple by the UK government sometime between late 2024 and early 2025. This document suggests obligations for Apple to provide access to various types of data stored within a cloud backup service and to disable encryption where feasible. The court filing indicates that these obligations may extend globally, affecting all iCloud users.
It remains unclear whether this recent court document reflects the government’s initial intentions or indicates ongoing efforts to access data from Apple users worldwide. Apple’s commitment to user privacy includes a stance against creating back doors in its products, a position supported by cybersecurity experts who warn against any method that could weaken encryption for users.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx293qg7z39o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss