Key UK officials held a closed-door meeting with US counterparts to explain that their appeal for access to coded data in Apple’s iCloud is not a blanket request. They are specifically interested in data linked to individuals already tied to serious crimes such as terrorism, as per Bloomberg sources.
Insiders revealed that British authorities underscored the necessity for distinct warrants for each access petition to ensure they are directly related to serious crime investigations within the UK. They refuted claims of pursuing broad powers to access anyone’s data for any cause, especially that of American residents, a stance that has ignited controversy.
Apple’s Stand, Limits Encryption for UK Users
In February, reports surfaced that UK authorities asked Apple for a method to obtain user information protected under Advanced Data Protection, an optional security feature introduced in 2022. The Home Secretary’s office invoked the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, granting enforcement agencies the power to enforce data access for criminal investigations. Additionally, the law bars Apple from disclosing the request publicly, issued as a Technical Capability Notice, or expressing concerns to the public, effectively imposing a gag order.
In response, Apple acted decisively, withdrawing access to ADP encryption function for devices in the UK. Users of iPhones, iPads, and Macs in the region can no longer apply for ADP, and existing users need to manually deactivate it to maintain iCloud connectivity.
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard cautioned that the UK’s appeals might breach the CLOUD Act, limiting foreign administrations from directly reaching encrypted data stored by US corporations.
US Legislators Alert on Free Speech and Privacy Concerns
Earlier this month, Apple challenged the legality of the UK government’s access demands, asserting that compliance would jeopardize user privacy and establish a hazardous precedent.
“There’s no rationale for the UK [government] to dictate for global citizens whether they can benefit from the proven security advantages stemming from end-to-end encryption,” Apple stated in a submission to Parliament. The statement, released in response to proposed amendments to the UK Investigatory Powers Act, refrained from directly confirming the existence of the Technical Capability Notice.
Gabbard also highlighted concerns regarding the effective gag order imposed on Apple by the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, reiterated by a united bipartisan group of US legislators. They have urged the UK to “shed light on” the order’s secrecy, arguing that it’s “violative of the free speech rights of US entities and hindering Congress’s ability to oversee matters of national security.”
During Donald Trump’s initial presidential term, the FBI opposed Advanced Data Protection with analogous concerns over law enforcement’s inability to access encrypted data—a barrier the UK is currently attempting to overcome. Simultaneously, technology firms like Apple caution that establishing a secret passage would heighten vulnerabilities to misuse by both criminals and authoritarian regimes.
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