Apple Pushes Back Against UK Government Over Encrypted iCloud Access
Apple has once again found itself in a heated standoff with the UK government, as ministers push the tech giant to unlock access to encrypted iCloud data belonging to British users.
The dispute centres on a revived Technical Capability Notice (TCN) issued under the Investigatory Powers Act.
If enforced, Apple would be required to provide a mechanism for authorities to reach into users’ iCloud backups, something the company has long resisted.
The case is still playing out in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), where proceedings are being held behind closed doors.
Judges, however, have insisted that some details must be made public, confirming Apple’s role as the claimant.
The precise wording of the notice remains classified, and no ruling has yet been delivered.
In February, Apple took the step of disabling its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for UK users.
That decision prevented new customers from switching on end-to-end encryption for their iCloud backups.
Existing users were encouraged to turn the feature off. Yet Apple maintains its hard line: it has not built, and will not build, a “back door” into its services.
#UK: The British government is ramping up its war on privacy by pushing a new law to force Apple to hand over access to encrypted iCloud backups of UK users.
Back in February 2025, Apple shut down its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the UK after the government issued a… pic.twitter.com/XcvkubTYtO
— POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) October 1, 2025
The row is not confined to Britain alone. Earlier this year, it emerged that UK officials had backed down from a demand affecting American iCloud accounts, following objections from Washington.
The latest move, however, appears to be targeted solely at data belonging to people in the UK.
With the UK standing as Apple’s third-largest market in Europe, the stakes are high. Any concession could ripple far beyond British borders, creating a dangerous precedent for other governments seeking ways around encryption safeguards.
Cybersecurity experts advise that forcing a company like Apple to introduce special access for government agencies effectively undermines the veritably idea of a secure pall storehouse.
A single reverse door, formerly opened, pitfalls being abused by vicious actors. The legal wrangling could drag on well into 2026.
In the meantime, Apple faces mounting pressure to keep its pledge to UK druggies and businesses that their lines, prints, and particular data stored in iCloud remain safe from prying eyes indeed as the state continues its drive for lesser surveillance powers.
