Apple has submitted a fresh legal complaint to a UK court overseeing covert surveillance matters, challenging what reporting indicates is another Home Office demand for backdoor access to highly encrypted user information. The dispute centers on the government’s request for access to Advanced Data Protection, a feature that employs end-to-end encryption so comprehensive that even Apple cannot view the protected data.
The conflict began in early 2025 and intensified when Apple withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature from new UK users in February 2025 in response to initial government demands. The government subsequently issued a new request in October targeting non-US users after the first notice drew criticism from American politicians concerned about implications for their citizens’ data. The requests have been issued under the Investigatory Powers Act, which grants authorities power to issue technical capability notices requiring companies to provide security services with data access methods.
Apple has consistently stated it will not create backdoors to access customer information, citing its commitment to privacy and encryption standards. The company referenced a previous statement indicating its grave disappointment at being unable to offer the Advanced Data Protection feature to UK users. Privacy advocacy groups, including Privacy International and Liberty, have supported Apple’s legal challenge, emphasizing that end-to-end encryption protects sensitive personal information and that backdoor access poses significant security risks.
The UK government stated it supports strong encryption and privacy protections but argued that law enforcement must be able to access communications when necessary and proportionate to address terrorism, serious crime, and child sexual abuse. The government declined to comment on specific legal proceedings or operational details. Sir Brian Leveson, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner providing independent oversight of surveillance powers, previously noted that such notices would only be issued following determinations of necessity and proportionality, with independent judicial review and separate authorization requirements under the IPA.
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