Summary
The UK government has asked Apple to provide access to data stored by its users in the cloud, stirring privacy concerns among civil rights groups. This is the second request this year, following a similar demand that faced opposition and was withdrawn after a dispute with the United States. Apple is resisting the request, stating it will not create a backdoor to its services.
Key Facts
- The UK Home Office asked Apple to allow government access to customer data stored in the cloud.
- This is the second time the UK has requested such access from Apple in 2023.
- A previous request included US customers, leading to a dispute with the United States.
- Civil liberties groups in the UK are concerned about privacy and the potential for similar demands on other companies.
- Apple has stated it will not create a backdoor for its products and has already appealed against earlier requests.
- Advanced Data Protection, a strong security feature, is not available for new Apple users in the UK as of February.
- The UK government's actions come amidst discussions about issuing digital identity cards.
