Senior UK officials met privately with their US peers to explain that their request for access to encrypted data in Apple’s iCloud is not a demand for blanket; Instead, they only seek access to data linked to individuals already involved in crimes such as terrorism, according to Bloomberg.

People who are familiar with the case told the publication that British officials emphasized that separate warrants would be needed for each access request to ensure that they were strictly linked Investigations into serious crime in the UK They denied that for any reason, especially those of our residents, they sought a wide powers to gain access to anyone’s information, especially those of our residents, who fueled controversy.

Apple fights back, limiting the coding for UK users

In February, it was reported that the UK Apple asked for a way to access user information covered under Advanced Data Protection, an optional security layer introduced in 2022. The Office of the Minister of Home Affairs called on the 2016 investigation forces, giving law enforcement the authority to force businesses to give access to data as part of criminal investigations. The Act also prevents Apple from publicly disclosing, issued as a notice of technical abilities, or expressing its concern to the public and imposing a gaging order on the company.

In response, Apple took action weeks later and removed access to ADP coding function for UK devices. iPhone, iPad and Mac users in the country can no longer log in for ADP, and existing users must manually disable it to maintain access to iCloud.

The US director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has warned that the UK’s claims could violate the Cloud Act, which limits foreign governments to directly access encrypted data stored by US businesses.

US lawmakers warn about free speech and privacy risks

Earlier this month, Apple challenged the legality of the British government’s access requirements, arguing that compliance would jeopardize the user’s privacy and put a dangerous precedent.

“There is no reason why the UK (government) should have the authority to decide for the citizens of the world whether they can utilize themselves from the proven security benefits that result from the coding of endpoint,” Apple said in a Declaration to Parliament. The statement, issued in response to the proposed amendments to the British Act on the Investigation Forces, did not directly confirm the existence of the notice of technical abilities.

Gabbard also expressed concern about the effective gag order that the 2016 investigative powers impose on Apple, which was repeated this week by a two -party group of American lawmakers. They urged the UK “Remove the mantle of secrecy” Around the order, claim to “violate the free speech rights of American businesses and impair the power and duty of the congress to oversee cases of national security.”

Under President Donald Trump’s first term as president, the FBI protested advanced data protection About similar concerns about law enforcement’s inability to access encrypted data – an obstacle that the UK is now trying to bypass. Meanwhile, technical companies such as Apple warn that creating a back door will increase the risk of abuse by criminals and authoritarian governments.