Apple has launched a legal challenge against the UK government’s demand for access to its customers’ encrypted data.

The US tech giant has appealed to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), an independent court that oversees surveillance laws in the UK, to overturn a supposed secret order issued by the Home Office in January. The alleged order requires Apple to provide UK law enforcement with access to encrypted user data in cases involving national security threats.

The dispute centres on Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature, an opt-in tool that offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups, including messages, photos, and other sensitive data.

While Apple can access data protected by its standard encryption if legally compelled, ADP ensures that even Apple cannot view or share the information. The UK government’s demand would require Apple to create a backdoor in ADP, effectively weakening its encryption to allow access for law enforcement.

Apple has refused to comply, stating that it would never compromise its security features.

Last week – in an unprecedented move – the company removed ADP from the UK market rather than create the requested backdoor. In a statement, Apple expressed disappointment at having to take this step, emphasising its commitment to user privacy. “We have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services, and never will,” the company said.

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The UK’s demand has sparked international controversy, drawing criticism from US officials. President Donald Trump likened the order to “something you might hear about with China,” while Tulsi Gabbard, the US head of intelligence, called it an “egregious violation” of US citizens’ privacy rights. Gabbard also raised concerns that the order may breach the terms of the CLOUD Act, a bilateral agreement between the US and UK that governs cross-border data access.

Apple’s appeal marks the first known challenge to a technical capability notice issued under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which grants the government authority to compel tech companies to assist in accessing encrypted data. The company argues that creating a backdoor would jeopardise the security of millions of users, making them vulnerable to hackers and cyber-criminals.