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The UK government has issued a demand for Apple to implement a backdoor in its encrypted cloud services, challenging the tech giant's commitment to user privacy. According to The Washington Post, this request is part of a “technical capability notice” under the Investigatory Powers Act, which compels tech companies to assist law enforcement in obtaining evidence. The demand pertains to Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service, which uses end-to-end encryption to protect user data.
Apple, which has positioned privacy as a fundamental human right, has indicated that it would not comply with such a request. In its parliamentary submission, the company stated it would “never build a backdoor” and might withdraw key safety features from the UK market instead. Cybersecurity professor Alan Woodward emphasized that this demand could ignite significant conflict over encryption, as it raises questions about law enforcement's ability to access data while safeguarding user privacy.
The situation poses potential risks for data-sharing agreements between the UK and the EU, as it may conflict with European privacy regulations.