Apple Challenges UK Order Seeking Access to Encrypted iCloud Backups

Apple has filed a new legal challenge against a U.K. government demand for access to encrypted iCloud backup data, escalating a dispute over the country's use of secret technical capability notices under the Investigatory Powers Act. The case, reported as being brought before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, targets a narrower order focused on U.K. users after an earlier, broader demand that reportedly extended to both U.K. and U.S. users was withdrawn following diplomatic friction with Washington.

The contested notice is widely described by critics as an attempt to force an effective backdoor into iCloud backups protected by Advanced Data Protection. Apple has argued that creating such access would weaken security for all users, and the company had previously removed the option for U.K. customers to enable Advanced Data Protection after the first order. Civil liberties groups including Privacy International and Liberty have also challenged the government's use of these notices in a separate case scheduled for hearing in December.