The UK government has reportedly demanded that Apple create a backdoor to encrypted data, raising concerns about user privacy and security. This order could force Apple to provide broad access to user data from across the globe, including messages, photos, and notes stored in the cloud.
The demand is unusual because it requires tech companies to give governments blanket access to view encrypted materials without the need for specific requests. This sweeping demand has no known precedent among major democracies and has sparked worries that US adversaries may also be granted similar access.
Experts warn that if the UK’s order is allowed to stand, it could put American data at risk and undermine trust in US devices. Apple has long presented itself as an advocate for user privacy and has successfully fought against government requests in the past. However, the company may be forced to comply with the demand, potentially leading to a loss of control over user data.
The UK’s order is seen as a “slippery slope” that could lead other countries to demand similar access to US encrypted storage services. China, in particular, has been identified as a concern due to its complex interactions with the US on spying and hacking.
While some argue that greater access to user data grants law enforcement the ability to better protect the public, others warn that it puts users at risk of hacking, identity theft, and fraud. The UK’s order is meant to bypass Apple’s Advanced Data Protection service, which provides end-to-end encryption for cloud-stored data.
As a result, experts advise users to consider enabling Advanced Data Protection on their iPhones as an extra layer of protection against potential security threats.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/07/uk-demands-apple-cloud-data/78340329007