- UK demands Apple backdoor for iCloud data, covering all users worldwide.
- Apple resists, halts ADP in UK and files legal challenge at tribunal.
What happened: UK pushes Apple for global iCloud access
In a bombshell court filing, it turns out the UK government’s push for an Apple “backdoor” was far broader than previously revealed. It didn’t just target the company’s optional Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature—it also aimed at gaining access to Apple’s standard iCloud service, potentially reaching messages, passwords and more from users across the globe.
Under a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) issued via the Investigatory Powers Act, the Home Office demanded the ability to disclose categories of cloud-stored data, with no geographical limits—it would apply to all iCloud users worldwide. Apple pushed back hard, pulling ADP in the UK earlier and filing a legal challenge with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The tribunal’s scheduled public hearing will hinge on “assumed facts,” enabling open debate without breaking official secrecy rules.
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Why it’s important
This fight is not just another story. It is a global moment in the battle for digital privacy. Apple does not agree to build a backdoor. Apple takes away its strongest encryption feature in the UK. This shows a strong move in the fight between user trust and government control. It is a clear sign of what is at risk when safety meets power.
We saw the same fight before in the Apple and FBI case over locked iPhones in the United States. The UK demand for iCloud data across the world is something new for free countries. It makes people worry about what comes next. If Apple says yes, then other countries may also ask for the same. That means more watching of users in the name of security. Privacy groups say a backdoor once made is always a weak spot. Hackers can use it and so can strict governments.
This case also made trouble between the UK and the United States. US leaders told the UK to step back. They said the rights of American users were also in danger. This strong push from the US may have helped stop the wider demand. The law is still in place. Apple’s advanced protection is still not in the UK. Experts say without new rules to control such power the same fight may come again.
