In a new request, the United Kingdom's government has demanded Apple provide access to users' encrypted data stored in its cloud service, a request that has sparked concerns about privacy rights.
The Home Office issued a "technical capability notice" under the Investigatory Powers Act, asking Apple to create a backdoor that would allow authorities to access fully encrypted materials from users worldwide.
This marks a significant challenge to Apple's commitment to privacy, which it considers a "fundamental human right." The request targets Apple's Advanced Data Protection service, which uses end-to-end encryption, preventing even Apple from decrypting the data.
This sweeping demand, which applies globally, has raised alarms, particularly in the context of international data-sharing agreements like the one between the United Kingdom and the European Union.
According to experts, this could ignite a major clash over privacy rights, with the potential to affect Apple's global operations. For now, it remains to be seen how Apple will respond to this unprecedented request.