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UK Demands Unfettered Access to Apple iCloud Data for Everyone, Everywhere

Feb 7, 2025, 11:29 AM by Rich Brome @rbrome.bsky.social

The United Kingdom has secretly ordered Apple to lets its security officials access user data stored in the cloud, even for users located in the US and other countries outside of the UK. Apple will be hard-pressed to comply, as its Advanced Data Protection option offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for iCloud data, meaning even Apple does not have access to the data, by design. The order requires blanket access, not just for specific users under investigation. Apple may stop offering Advanced Data Protection in the UK, but this would not bring Apple into compliance with the order for overseas users. The only path to full compliance would be to stop offering E2EE and create a "back door" for the government. But the existence of any back door also opens the door for foreign spies and criminals to access user data via the same method. The order was issued under the U.K. Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, also known as the "Snoopers' Charter". The law makes it makes it a criminal offense for Apple to reveal that the government has even made such a demand. Therefore Google may have already received a similar demand, which would be difficult to confirm. Both companies have been rolling out E2EE for messaging and other services in recent years.

The Washington Post »

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

rwalford79

Feb 14, 2025, 4:32 PM

Don't Comply

The UK has no jurisdiction over US citizens, nor does it need access to any data of said citizens. Apple should simply not comply, and state the San Bernardino FBI request as the reason they do not have to comply. They refused a backdoor to law enforcement to violate our rights, so why would they let a foreign entity think they have any more of a right?
Simply, do not comply. Do not respond.

gloopey1

Feb 9, 2025, 8:14 AM

This Will Be Bad for Business

In a time when unauthorized data mining is frowned upon by most people by third parties, a government entity attempting to do so will ultimately hurt the businesses they've sworn to protect.

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