UK Demands Access to Apple Users’ Encrypted Data.
In a controversial move, the United Kingdom government has issued a secret order demanding that Apple create a backdoor to access encrypted data stored by Apple users worldwide. The order, issued in January 2025 under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (also known as the “Snoopers’ Charter”), has sparked significant debate over privacy and security implications.
The UK government’s demand for a backdoor to Apple’s encrypted cloud data is unprecedented. Rather than seeking narrow access to specific accounts, officials have demanded “blanket” access to end-to-end encrypted files uploaded to iCloud by any user worldwide. This means that the UK authorities would have the capability to view fully encrypted material, not just assist in cracking a specific account.
Apple has previously opposed such demands, arguing that creating backdoors would undermine user security and privacy. The company has warned that backdoors developed for government use would inevitably be exploited by criminal hackers and other governments. In response to the recent order, Apple is likely to stop offering its encrypted cloud storage service, Advanced Data Protection, to users in the United Kingdom. However, this concession would not fulfill the UK’s demand for global backdoor access.
The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 allows the UK government to issue Technical Capability Notices, which obligate providers to remove electronic protections to allow access to data that is otherwise unavailable due to encryption. Apple can appeal such notices to a secret technical panel and a judge, but the law does not permit Apple to delay complying during an appeal.
Privacy advocates and cybersecurity experts have criticized the UK government’s demand, arguing that it would harm security and privacy for all users. They contend that once a backdoor is created, it is only a matter of time before bad actors exploit it. The UK Home Office has declined to comment on operational matters, including confirming or denying the existence of such notices.
Apple’s stance on encryption has been clear: privacy for its customers is at the heart of all its products and services. The company has previously warned that it would withdraw security features from the UK market if forced to comply with government demands. The recent order has only intensified the debate over the balance between privacy and national security.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Apple and the UK government will navigate this complex issue. The outcome will have significant implications for user privacy, cybersecurity, and the future of encrypted communications.
