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Apple users warned: UK Top secret order may kill iCloud privacy.
Credit: Shutterstock, hanohiki
It all kicked off last month, when security officials in the UK quietly served Apple with a ‘technical capability notice’ under the sweeping Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, often slammed as the ‘Snoopers’ Charter’. According to different reports, the notice requires blanket access to all data stored in iCloud by users, regardless of whether they reside in London, New York City, Madrid, Paris, or anywhere else.
This Act gives law enforcement the power to force tech firms to help gather evidence. However, critics claim that this is a far-fetched request. Apple’s senior management is particularly alarmed by the fact that this request does not involve helping with a single criminal investigation, but rather a permanent way to access everyone’s encrypted data.
Apple cannot even inform its customers about the possibility that their data could be accessed by government agents due to the Act’s secrecy.
What is the future of encryption?
The tech giant, according to sources, would rather remove advanced encryption features from UK than break its promise worldwide. But the notice’s global reach is the real shocker: the UK isn’t just demanding that Apple weaken security for British users – it wants a back door into data for anyone, anywhere. Apple’s removal of its high-grade protection from the UK would still not be sufficient, say observers. The British government has a back door into data. What is being said is, ‘We want to see data no matter what corner of the globe it lives in.’
Rumours are spreading. If Apple caves to the UK, other countries – especially those with less stellar human rights records – might demand the same. Privacy analysts warn Apple might be forced to shut its secure services in order to avoid setting a dangerous precedent if China wanted what Britain got.
Balancing privacy and child safety
Big Tech is needed to help protect the UK order from terrorists or child abusers who use airtight cryptography to hide their dirty deeds. But, once a secret key exists, it’s not just Whitehall that might use it – it could be hackers, rogue staff, or repressive governments The same goes for the other way around..
The FBI and UK law enforcement insist. Unstoppable encryption is ‘going dark,’ making it harder to protect the public from serious crime. Apple and its supporters counter that robust encryption is essential for a free society – and that weakening it exposes everyone to hackers, scams and identity theft. Who’s right?
