UK can't keep its encryption fight with Apple private, court rules
a year ago
- #Government Surveillance
- #Encryption
- #Privacy
- The UK government ordered Apple to provide a backdoor in iCloud for global surveillance, including content under Advanced Data Protection (ADP).
- Apple initially considered appealing the order but removed ADP access for UK users, leaving only Standard Data Protection (SDP).
- Apple formally appealed the directive, with rights groups pushing for a public hearing instead of closed-door proceedings.
- The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) rejected the UK government's request to keep case details private, dismissing national security concerns.
- Rights groups argued against secrecy, citing widespread reporting on the issue and Apple's removal of ADP for UK users as clear indicators of the case's nature.
- Apple has a history of resisting government demands to weaken encryption, notably refusing to unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter in 2016.