Apple battles UK in hidden high court case over iCloud encryption

AppleInsider

Apple has held firm on not granting backdoor access to users' iCloud data, and the UK continues to try to find a way -- just not publicly.

UK Parliament

Apple continues to push back against the UK government's request for full access to all iCloud content across the globe. As a result, the appeal is set to be considered at a secret hearing at the High Court.

According to BBC, it's due to be considered by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, an independent court that has the power to investigate claims against the UK intelligence services. Allegedly, the meeting is being kept under wraps because it relates to security services.

However, not everyone agrees.

"This hearing should not be held in secret," Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director at Privacy International, told the BBC.

"The public has a right to know whether or not the security of a service that could be used by millions or perhaps billions of people worldwide is being undermined."

The UK government, for its part, says it needs to be able to identify any risks to national security. However, Apple has a firm stance on keeping its users' cloud data secure.

In early February, the UK government issued an order to Apple telling it to allow officials full access to any iCloud content belonging to any user across the globe.

In response, Apple announced that it would no longer offer Advanced Data Protection for its UK customer base.

In early March, Apple filed a legal complaint with the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal, pushing back against the mandate.



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carisma

As i understand it the UK wants to get acces to all of our information on our iPhone and iCloud. In my opinion there is no reason why that should be allowed. If i make some cryptic notes in my paper agenda there is no backdoor, the only backdoor would be interrogation and in the worst (illegal case) torture if i choose to be silent. Well i'd like to argue that it's none of there business what i store on any device. I don't know how it is in the UK but in my country you're not obligated to indict your self, you have the right to be silent.
So let Apple encrypt my info on my behalf and let the government decrypt on their behalf and we'll see where it leads. The game is on. ; )  

edited March 13

timmillea

I largely agree with Carisma.

Unfortunately, governments always like to consider themselves above the law and that their semi secret services should have access to everything.

In Europe we have the conventions on Human Rights and Justice which apply to governments, all members of governments and to government employees, e.g. the secret services, as they do to every other citizen. No government is above the law. Of course, governments find this terribly inconvenient and are forever trying to circumvent these rights and laws. 

It is entirely predictable that the UK Government wants access to every citizen's communication but their first duty is to protect their citizens.

Apple is completely right. If there is backdoor access to anyone, then any malicious organisation (including governments) or person, could exploit it. Not just 'could', but it would be inevitable. Anyone could find themselves with a false but provable history of wrong-doing because of a back door to data - e.g. a political opponent, a business competitor, envious employee or just a jilted lover. 

The first duty of a government is therefore to ensure there is no backdoor access and to encourage absolute end-to-end encrypted communication for the safety and security of its citizens - and itself! .