UK Government Orders Apple to Grant Access to Encrypted User Data

UK orders Apple to grant access to encrypted user data under the Investigatory Powers Act.
Privacy advocates warn of security risks, while Apple has previously threatened to withdraw services.
Government argues encryption aids criminals, but experts fear backdoors could be exploited.

The UK government has issued a legal order under the Investigatory Powers Act, compelling Apple to provide access to encrypted data stored through its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service.

Currently, only Apple account holders can access their ADP-encrypted data, as Apple itself lacks the ability to decrypt it. The Home Office has declined to comment on the notice, citing operational confidentiality, while Apple has also remained silent on the request.

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The order affects users who have opted into ADP, which encrypts sensitive content such as photos, videos, and personal data for enhanced privacy. However, this level of encryption also carries a risk—users who lose their account credentials face permanent data loss.

The government asserts that any access to encrypted data would require a legal process with specific justifications and permissions, similar to existing rules for unencrypted information.

Cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates have strongly criticized the demand. Professor Alan Woodward of Surrey University called it “stunning,” while civil liberties group Big Brother Watch described it as a serious erosion of privacy rights.

Apple has previously warned that it could withdraw security services from the UK rather than comply with demands to create backdoors for authorities. Experts argue that such backdoors could ultimately be exploited by hackers and malicious actors.

Despite this, the Investigatory Powers Act applies to all tech firms operating in the UK, regardless of where they are headquartered. Apple has the right to appeal the order but must comply during the appeal process under the legislation.

Officials argue that encryption allows criminals to evade detection, a stance echoed by the FBI in the US. The UK’s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has also criticized encryption for enabling child abusers to hide illicit content.