The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), an independent UK court that handles complaints against security agencies, released the filing. It suggests that the Home Office is still seeking access to data from users outside the UK.
Apple challenged the Home Office’s order in March, arguing that creating a backdoor into its cloud systems would undermine user privacy.
The IPT filing lists the “assumed facts” for next year’s court hearing. These are rules that let both sides prepare without breaking secrecy laws and aren’t confirmed as true. Apple first mentioned the order in February when it removed ADP encryption for UK users. But the filing shows the Home Office wants access to Apple’s regular iCloud too. This could include messages, passwords, and backups from users around the world, not just in the UK.
The UK Investigatory Powers Act gives authorities wide-ranging powers, theoretically allowing law enforcement to access data held anywhere in the world. Critics have labeled the law a “snooper’s charter”, while the UK maintains it is necessary for tackling terrorism and other crimes.
As the case moves toward court, questions remain over how far the UK can legally extend its surveillance powers and how this will affect the privacy of iCloud users worldwide.
This will only make things worse and even more people will lose faith in their governments. Last time when I reported on the Apple/UK saga, I asked this simple question, and the poll results speak for themselves:
Could that trend even be reversed?
“Iconic Phones” is coming this Fall!
Good news everyone! Over the past year we’ve been working on an exciting passion project of ours and we’re thrilled to announce it will be ready to release in just a few short months.
