Apple launches legal challenge against UK government demand to access data
The Home Office has made a fresh request for ‘back door’ access to encrypted iCloud data belonging to British users Apple has launched a new legal challenge against a UK government demand to access its customers’ highly encrypted data, a year after the Home Office agreed to abandon its previous request. The US tech company launched the legal complaint last month at the Investigatory Powers…
Apple has initiated a legal challenge against the UK government's demand for access to the encrypted data of its British users, iCloud. This comes a year after the UK government initially requested "back door" access to the encrypted data. The US tech giant has filed the legal complaint at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), an independent court that can investigate claims of unlawful actions by UK intelligence services.
The UK government had previously backed down from its original demand following a transatlantic dispute over encryption between London and Washington. The government subsequently issued a "technical capability notice" (TCN) to Apple, which only applied to British users. Apple is now seeking to challenge the government's authority to issue TCNs under the UK Investigatory Powers Act.
The legislation allows authorities to compel companies to provide information to law enforcement agencies, including access to encrypted customer data. Privacy International, a human rights group, and Liberty, a campaigner, had previously filed a complaint against TCNs at the IPT, requesting the case be held in public due to the public interest.
Both Apple and the Home Office declined to comment on the matter, as they are legally prohibited from discussing TCNs.
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