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Apple Challenges UK Demand for Encryption Backdoor

Elizabeth Greenberg

,

apple uk encryption
The encryption saga between Apple and the UK government continues. 

Apple has launched a new legal challenge against the most recent UK government attempt to create a backdoor to encrypted customer data, it has been reported.

Just last month, Apple filed a legal complaint against the Interior Ministry over its demand that Apple enables it to access the encrypted cloud backup data of UK users.

The UK government backed down from its first alleged secret order to Apple from the Home Office, which called on the tech giant to create a backdoor to its cloud encryption for UK users.

Apple continually appealed the order, electing to remove its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) from the UK rather than see it compromised through a backdoor.

The Home Office did try to issue a “technical capability notice” that would see the encryption backdoor only apply to UK users.

Apple is now filing a legal challenge on the UK’s ability to issue these TCNs under the UK Investigatory Powers Act, according to reports from the Financial Times.

TCNs force firms to provide information to law enforcement concerning investigations on crimes such as terrorism or child sexual abuse – it can require companies to provide customer data, even if it is encrypted.

Apple and the UK government are legally barred from discussing the particular cases, though Apple has confirmed it made a filing.

“The UK supports strong ​encryption and robust privacy protections, but it is also vital that law enforcement can access ‌communications ⁠when necessary and proportionate to protect the public from terrorism, serious crime, and child sexual abuse,” a UK spokesperson said.

Apple has previously railed against the idea of creating a backdoor to its encryption, saying that it would never compromise the privacy technology.


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“This is a hugely important case that will have far-reaching implications for the public’s privacy ​rights well into the future,” Ruth Ehrlich, director external relations at Liberty, the human rights group that has previously been involved in the ongoing encryption case, said in a statement.

“Opening a backdoor to all of that information carries a ⁠wide ​range of risks to our personal data. It ​is critical that the government listens to the many concerns and commits to protecting our privacy ​rights.”

Elizabeth Greenberg

Staff Writer

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