In a development that underscores ongoing tensions between technology companies and governments over data privacy, a recent court filing suggests that the UK government attempted to compel Apple to provide broader access to customer data than the company previously disclosed. The Financial Times, which reviewed the document from the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), reports that the government extended the request beyond an optional encryption feature to Apple’s standard iCloud service.
On Wednesday, the IPT published a filing that outlines “assumed facts” for Apple’s case ahead of a hearing early next year. The document indicates that the Home Office issued a technical capability notice (TCN) that went beyond Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature—an optional layer of end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups. Instead, the order reportedly sought access to data in Apple’s standard iCloud service, which millions of customers use worldwide.
Furthermore, the TCN allegedly included obligations for Apple to disclose categories of data stored in cloud-based backups, potentially encompassing messages, passwords, and other sensitive information. Critically, the demands extended beyond UK users; they applied globally, raising concerns about extraterritorial reach under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act.
Apple first acknowledged the TCN indirectly when it withdrew ADP from UK customers in February, preventing the feature’s rollout in the region. In March, the company launched its formal challenge at the IPT, arguing against what it views as a “backdoor” that could compromise user security.
The UK’s approach has strained relations with the US, where Apple maintains its headquarters. Officials in the Trump administration, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance, recently claimed that the UK agreed to drop demands affecting American citizens’ data. However, the IPT filing suggests that officials may not have fully rescinded the original order’s global scope, leaving questions about ongoing negotiations.
Stay updated with the latest news on this by downloading the Appleosophy App from the App Store or by visiting our website.
