UK Orders Apple To Create a Backdoor to Users' Encrypted Accounts

The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to create a backdoor that would grant security officials access to users' encrypted iCloud backups worldwide. This would allow British security services to access backups of any user, not just Brits, without Apple's knowledge or consent. Apple is expected to respond by stopping the offering of Advanced Data Protection in the UK, which uses end-to-end encryption. The demand is based on the UK's Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, and Apple has the right to appeal but cannot delay implementation.

If implemented, this could set a precedent for other countries to demand similar access to encrypted data, potentially compromising the security of users globally.

The UK’s Demands for Apple to Break Encryption Is an Emergency for Us All

The Washington Post reported that the United Kingdom is demanding that Apple create an encryption backdoor to give the government access to end-to-end encrypted data in iCloud. Encryption is one of the best ways we have to reclaim our privacy and security in a digital world filled with cyberattacks…

Electronic Frontier FoundationThorin Klosowski

Apple ordered to open encrypted user accounts globally to UK spying

The secret order would give the UK access to encrypted backups belonging to any user — not just Brits.

The VergeDominic Preston