Apple asked to provide backdoor access to encrypted iCloud backups, claims report

The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to actually create a backdoor for accessing the encrypted iCloud backups globally while using powers granted by the Investigatory Powers Act of the year 2016, reported The Verge. The secret order would reportedly and actually enable British security services to access end-to-end encrypted files from any user worldwide without their knowledge whatsoever.

According to The Verge, the Advanced Data Protection of Apple introduced in the year 2022 currently provides end-to-end encryption that eventually prevents even Apple from accessing the user files. In response to the order, Apple ta the same time, is expected to discontinue this service in the UK though this would not satisfy the broader demand of the UK government for global access.

The directive has reportedly raised significant privacy concerns while Apple has previously argued against such measures and stated that the UK should not decide encryption access for global citizens, asserted The Verge. The company can now appeal the order based on implementation costs, but at the same time, cannot delay its execution.


UK authorities justify the request by claiming that encryption hampers investigations into serious crimes like terrorism. However, during such times, several tech experts also warn that such backdoors could compromise user security and potentially inspire similar demands from other countries as well, noted The Verge.

Other renowned and eminent tech companies like Google and Meta have not commented on whether they have received the similar requests while the move could potentially trigger a global precedent for government access to encrypted communications.

FAQs:

What has UK government recently ordered Apple?

The UK government has reportedly ordered Apple to actually create a backdoor for accessing the encrypted iCloud backups globally while using powers granted by the Investigatory Powers Act of the year 2016.

What does the Advanced Data Protection of Apple currently provides?

The Advanced Data Protection of Apple introduced in the year 2022 currently provides end-to-end encryption that eventually prevents even Apple from accessing the user files.