Apple fights UK demand for iCloud backdoor in big privacy battle

Apple filed a lawsuit in court over British government efforts to undermine iCloud encryption.

The case was filed under the Investigative Powers Act (IPA) and aims to force Apple to create a backdoor that allows law enforcement to access user data, not only in the UK, but probably in other countries.

According to the Financial Times, the company has filed a legal complaint with the UK Court of Investigation Powers against a directive requiring it to access the "backdoor" of encrypted iCloud data for law enforcement.

In response to this requirement, Apple has cancelled the "Advanced Data Protection" (ADP) function for UK users.

This move marks the first time Apple has taken legal action against provisions in the 2016 Investigation Powers Act (also known as the "Spy Charter". This is a controversial law that expands the UK government's ability to monitor digital communications.

Apple cancels encryption to protect user privacy

The core of the controversy is Apple's "Advanced Data Protection" (ADP), an optional iCloud feature that provides end-to-end encryption and ensures that only users can access their data. In response to the British order, Apple withdrew the ADP in the region instead of endangering the security of other users around the world.

The company reiterated its long-standing opposition to weakening encryption and said it had never created a backdoor in its products and would not be created in the future.

The British government argues that access to encrypted data is crucial to national security and helps combat terrorism and child exploitation. However, critics warn that forcing Apple to create a backdoor will set a dangerous precedent, undermining global cybersecurity and putting Apple users at hacker threats.

It is impossible to create a backdoor that only "good people" can access. Even government agencies like the CIA and the National Security Agency cannot protect themselves from hackers.

Global rebound in surveillance requirements for the UK

Apple's legal challenges have attracted international attention, including strong criticism from the U.S. government. For example, on February 28, President Donald Trump compared Britain's demands to authoritarian surveillance strategies used by China.

U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard also criticized the order, calling it a "serious violation" of privacy and could undermine the data sharing agreement between the two countries.

Director Gabbard mentioned the Cloud Act, which manages cross-border data access. The CLOUD Act, enacted in 2018, allows U.S. law enforcement agencies to access data stored in companies outside the United States when investigating serious crimes.

However, under this bill, the UK may not require data belonging to U.S. citizens or residents without established legal proceedings. Gabbard expressed “serious concern” about the British order, saying it could undermine American privacy and civil liberties and has initiated a legal review to assess possible violations of the Cloud Act.

What does this mean for iPhone users and tech companies

Apple's struggle could impact the future of global crypto policies. If the UK successfully forces Apple to comply, other governments may follow suit, leading to a ripple effect of weakened digital security.

On the other hand, if Apple wins, it could strengthen the rights of individuals and businesses around the world to force encryption.

Apple's legal challenges also show how large tech companies can resist government demands, while smaller companies with less resources may struggle to protest similar orders.

A former senior security official said the system "has not been fully tested and may not work." They said: "You can't give orders secretly and it's okay. If you give orders to a company of the size of Apple, it will leak."

The Snoop Charter in the UK includes a ban that prohibits Apple and other companies from revealing that they have received these surveillance requests. Thankfully, recent incidents have been leaked, but there is no other way for the public to know how their data is processed in secret.

The above is the detailed content of Apple fights UK demand for iCloud backdoor in big privacy battle. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!