The UK government has secretly ordered Apple to create a backdoor enabling unrestricted access to encrypted iCloud backups worldwide, according to a Washington Post report. Issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), or “Snoopers’ Charter,” the demand compels Apple to bypass its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature, which uses end-to-end encryption to secure user data such as photos, messages, and device backups. The order, delivered via a “technical capability notice” in January 2025, applies to all users globally, not just UK citizens, and prohibits Apple from disclosing its existence.
Threat to Privacy and Security
ADP, an opt-in service launched in 2022, ensures that even Apple cannot access user data. The UK’s demand would undermine this encryption, creating vulnerabilities that cybersecurity experts warn could be exploited by hackers and authoritarian regimes. Privacy advocates, including Big Brother Watch, condemned the move as an “unprecedented attack” on civil liberties, arguing that backdoors erode trust in digital security and disproportionately harm law-abiding citizens.
Apple’s Dilemma and Potential Response
Apple has historically resisted such demands, citing privacy as a “fundamental human right.” The company may withdraw ADP from the UK market to avoid compliance, but this would not resolve the government’s demand for global access. Under the IPA, Apple cannot delay implementation during an appeal, which must be filed in a secret court. Critics note that the law’s extraterritorial scope allows the UK to target any tech firm operating in its market, regardless of headquarters.
Global Implications
The order risks diplomatic friction, particularly with the EU, which reviews UK data-sharing agreements this year. It also contradicts recent U.S. recommendations advocating stronger encryption to counter cyber threats. While UK officials claim the measure targets national security risks, experts warn criminals will simply migrate to other platforms, leaving ordinary users more exposed.
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