Apple ordered to open encrypted user accounts globally to UK spying
1 min read
Summary
Apple has been ordered by the UK government to create a backdoor in its encrypted iCloud backups, giving security officials access to user files.
The order was issued last month under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act of 2016.
Although iCloud backups are not encrypted by default, Apple’s Advanced Data Protection option enables end-to-end encryption so that even Apple cannot access files.
Apple is expected to respond by disabling the Advanced Data Protection option for iCloud backups in the UK, but this move would not fulfil the UK’s demand for access to files created by global users.
The company can appeal the order on the basis of cost and proportionality to security requirements, but cannot delay its implementation.
Revealing that the demand has been made is a criminal offence.
If Apple complies, it will not be permitted to warn users that its encrypted services are no longer fully secure.