UK reportedly demands secret ‘back door’ to Apple users’ iCloud accounts

Summary: The British government issued a secret legal demand to Apple for access to encrypted iCloud accounts, as reported by The Washington Post. This Technical Capability Notice (TCN) provokes controversy due to concerns over user privacy and the implications for law enforcement access. Apple, having introduced end-to-end encryption, faces pressure from authorities who argue this undermines child safety and crime prevention efforts.

Affected: Apple Inc.

Keypoints :

• The UK government’s demand is known as a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) under the Investigatory Powers Act.
• Apple’s end-to-end encryption for iCloud, introduced in December 2022, has been criticized by law enforcement agencies in the UK and US.
• There are conflicting views on the balance between user privacy and the needs of law enforcement, especially regarding serious crimes.