Apple Inc.Apple challenges UK government demand for backdoor access to encrypted data; outcome uncertain, but stance aligns with privacy stance.

Apple has filed a legal challenge against a new attempt by the UK government to require a backdoor that would allow access to encrypted customer data, the Financial Times reported. Apple last month lodged an appeal with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, an independent judicial body in the UK, over a Home Office demand that it grant access to encrypted cloud backup data of UK users. The UK government withdrew an earlier order in 2025 but subsequently issued a new notice to Apple that does not apply to US users, the FT said. A UK government spokesperson declined to comment on individual notices, but said that while the government supports strong encryption and privacy protections, law enforcement access is needed to protect the public from terrorism and serious crime. Apple confirmed the challenge but declined further comment, and has previously stated that it has never built a backdoor and never will.
Apple Inc.Apple challenges UK government demand for backdoor access to encrypted data; outcome uncertain, but stance aligns with privacy stance.