Apple Ordered by UK to Create Global iCloud Encryption Backdoor
The British government has secretly demanded that Apple give it blanket access to all encrypted user content uploaded to the cloud, reports The Washington Post.
The spying order came by way of a “technical capability notice,” a document sent to Apple by the Home Secretary, ordering it to provide access under the sweeping UK Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) of 2016. Critics have labeled the legislation the “Snooper’s Charter,” as it authorizes law enforcement to compel assistance from companies when needed to collect evidence.
Apple is likely to stop offering encrypted storage in the UK, rather than break the security promises it made to its users, people familiar with the matter told the publication. However, that would not affect the UK order for backdoor access to the service in other countries, including the United States. Apple has previously said it would consider pulling services such as FaceTime and iMessage from the UK rather than compromise future security.
(via gwire)
Tags: via:gwire apple encryption backups cloud ipa surveillance icloud backdoors security infosec