The UK government has renewed its push to access Apple’s user data. A Home Office order issued in September directs Apple to create a pathway into encrypted iCloud backups of British citizens.
This demand follows weeks after the UK appeared to step back from similar efforts. In August, officials signaled they might drop the idea of forcing Apple to compromise encryption. The latest order shows the plan never fully disappeared.
Apple’s Position on Encryption
Apple insists that weakening encryption in one region puts users everywhere at risk. The company argues that once a backdoor exists, criminals and foreign actors can exploit it.
Although Apple has not commented on the new order, its past actions reflect its position. Earlier this year, Apple disabled Advanced Data Protection in the UK to avoid creating weaker security standards.
International Tensions
The UK’s stance has sparked global concerns. U.S. lawmakers from both parties strongly opposed earlier proposals, warning that the move would harm privacy and global security.
American intelligence officials also raised alarms. In February, they said the U.S. might limit data sharing with the UK if it insisted on encryption backdoors.
Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard added more confusion when she claimed Washington was told the UK had dropped the plan. The new order raises questions about those assurances.
Privacy Concerns Remain
The dispute links back to the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, updated in 2024. The law gives the government authority to secretly force tech firms to open access to encrypted data.
Civil liberties groups call the practice mass surveillance. Critics argue the UK undermines its credibility by condemning other countries for similar behavior while pursuing the same tactics at home.
For now, Apple and the Home Office remain silent. But with global pressure rising, the fight over privacy, encryption, and government access looks far from over.
