Apple has launched an appeal to overturn a secret UK order requiring the company to create a backdoor for government security officials to access encrypted user data.
The tech giant has filed its case with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, an independent judicial body that reviews complaints against UK security services. The case is believed to be the first challenge to the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act’s provisions that allow UK authorities to demand access to encrypted data.
Reports indicate that UK security officials sought a backdoor enabling them to access all content Apple users worldwide have uploaded to the cloud, including fully encrypted material. Apple has strongly opposed such demands, warning that the UK government is asserting authority over data belonging to users beyond its borders.
In response to the order, Apple recently removed its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service from the UK. ADP, an optional iCloud encryption feature, prevents even Apple from accessing stored user data. The company confirmed that new UK users can no longer activate ADP, and existing users will eventually need to disable it.
“As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will,” Apple stated.
The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for digital privacy and encryption policies worldwide.
Stay tuned to DC Brief for further updates on this story and other technology developments.
