Apple has officially taken legal action against the UK government, filing a complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to block demands for a backdoor into encrypted iCloud data, according to Financial Times.
Earlier this year, the UK invoked its Investigatory Powers Act to demand that Apple grant secret access to encrypted user data stored in iCloud—not just in the UK, but worldwide. Apple, refusing to compromise its security, instead chose to remove Advanced Data Protection (ADP) from the UK rather than create a backdoor.
Advanced Data Protection provides end-to-end encryption for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, ensuring that only the user has access to their data. Apple has repeatedly stated it would rather disable features in certain regions than weaken encryption, and this case is no different. If the UK pushes further, it could lead to Apple pulling services like iMessage and FaceTime from the country altogether.
The legal battle could move quickly, with the case potentially being heard as soon as this month. However, because Apple is legally barred from discussing the details publicly, much of the case may unfold behind closed doors.
This isn’t Apple’s first standoff over encryption. In 2016, the U.S. government demanded that Apple unlock the iPhone of a shooter involved in the San Bernardino attack, sparking a high-profile legal and ethical fight. Apple held firm, refusing to create a security vulnerability, and eventually, the government found another way in without Apple’s help.
Ironically, the U.S. has since shifted its stance on encryption, now actively promoting end-to-end encryption to counter foreign cyber threats. The U.S. government is also investigating whether the UK’s demand violates the CLOUD Act, which prohibits the UK from requesting data from U.S. citizens—just as the U.S. can’t demand data from UK citizens.
Apple’s legal challenge signals yet another high-stakes showdown over privacy and surveillance, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications for encryption policies worldwide.