Apple has launched a new legal challenge after the UK government renewed its attempt to access encrypted iCloud data belonging to British users.
This comes as the technology giant filed its complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) last month after the Home Office issued a new request requiring Apple to create a “back door” to encrypted iCloud data used by UK customers.
Don’t miss the stories shaping the future of mobile technology.
Subscribe to Mobile Europe’s newsletter – delivered twice a week.
The latest move follows last year’s decision by the UK government to withdraw a wider demand that would have given it access to encrypted data belonging to both UK and US Apple users after the proposal sparked a dispute with the United States.
The Home Office has since issued Apple with a new “technical capability notice” (TCN) that applies only to British users.
Now, Apple is challenging the government’s powers to issue these notices under the Investigatory Powers Act, which allows authorities to require technology companies to assist investigations into serious crimes, including terrorism and child sexual abuse, even where customer data is protected by encryption.
Privacy International and Liberty are also challenging the use of Technical Capability Notices.
The groups argue that Apple’s case should be heard publicly and dispute “the lawfulness, necessity and secrecy of the purported Apple TCN and the legal regime underpinning TCNs in general”.
A spokesperson said: “We are happy to learn that Apple is once again challenging the UK’s regime of secret orders.
“While we don’t know the substance of Apple’s claim, if it relates to the previously reported orders aimed at undermining the security of Apple’s iCloud storage, then Apple’s claim, alongside ours and Liberty’s, is crucially important to preserving all of our privacy and security.”
A case management hearing is due to take place next month, the company revealed.
IN RELATED NEWS
