Apple Challenges UK Order to Create iCloud Encryption Backdoor

The legal battle could set a precedent for privacy rights and government surveillance powers under the UK's Investigatory Powers Act.

Apple has filed a legal complaint with the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal to overturn a government order demanding a backdoor to access encrypted iCloud data.
The order, issued under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, required Apple to weaken its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature, which provides end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups.
In response, Apple removed the ADP feature for UK users but is pursuing legal action to challenge the order's legality, citing user privacy and security risks.
The UK government's demand reportedly extends beyond domestic users, potentially impacting global iCloud accounts, raising concerns about extraterritorial surveillance.
The case marks the first known legal challenge to the UK's encryption-breaking powers and could have significant implications for privacy, national security, and international data agreements.