Blitz Bureau
THE UK Government has demanded to be able to access encrypted data stored by Apple users worldwide in its cloud service, BBC reported. At present only the Apple account holder can access data stored in this way. The tech giant itself cannot view it. Legally, the notice, served by the Home Office under the Investigatory Powers Act, cannot be made public, and Apple declined to comment.
The news was first reported by the Washington Post quoting sources familiar with the matter. The Home Office said: “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices.”
The notice applies to all content stored using Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which encrypts the data meaning that Apple itself cannot see it.
The agency said the Government notice does not mean the authorities are suddenly going to start combing through everybody’s data.
They would still have to follow a legal process, have a good reason and request permission for a specific account in order to access data – just as they do now with unencrypted data.
Apple has previously said it would pull security services from the UK market rather than comply with any Government demands to weaken them by creating so-called “back doors” to grant the authorities access to user data on demand.
Cyber security experts agree that once such an entry point is in place, it is only a matter of time before bad actors also discover it.
The tech giant can appeal against the Government’s demand but cannot delay implementing the ruling during the process even if it is eventually overturned, according to the legislation. The Government argues that encryption enables criminals to hide more easily, and the FBI in the US has also been critical of the ADP tool.
Mulligan and Titchmarsh were also appointed CBEs for services to drama and horticulture respectively.
