UK Government Orders Apple to Create Secret Backdoor to Encrypted Data
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In a shocking privacy development discussed on This Week in Tech, host Leo Laporte and his expert panel explored the implications of the United Kingdom's recent demand for Apple to provide secret access to users' encrypted cloud storage.
According to a Financial Times report highlighted during the show, the British government has issued a "technical capability notice" to Apple under the UK's Investigatory Powers Act (commonly known as the Snoopers' Charter). This notice requires Apple to create a backdoor to iCloud, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over encryption and government access to private data.
IP attorney Cathy Gellis drew parallels to the San Bernardino shooter case, where Apple famously refused the FBI's demands for backdoor access. As Windows Central's Daniel Rubino pointed out during the discussion, while Apple previously had "holes" in their operating system that allowed third-party access, the company has since patched these vulnerabilities and implemented stronger encryption measures.
The panel emphasized several crucial concerns about this development, including global implications. The UK's demand would affect users worldwide, not just British citizens. As Laporte noted, this would enable law enforcement and security services globally to access the encrypted data of Apple customers, including those in the United States. The discussion even touched on past incidents where government-mandated backdoors led to security breaches. Laporte referenced the recent revelation about Chinese hackers (Salt Typhoon) accessing government officials' phones through previously mandated wiretap capabilities. In terms of legal complexities, the order comes with a gag clause, meaning Apple would be barred from warning its users about the backdoor. Signal President Meredith Whittaker, quoted during the show, warned this move could position the UK as a "tech pariah."
Lisa Schmeiser and the panel noted Google's shifting stance on privacy and security, with Daniel Rubino pointing out how the company's position has evolved from its original "Don't Be Evil" motto to its current more complex stance on privacy and security matters. Cathy Gellis offered a particularly sobering perspective on the political landscape, suggesting that given the current state of U.S. policy-making, Apple may need to find its own way to resist these demands without relying on government support. The implications of this development extend beyond Apple, potentially affecting other tech giants like Google (which has offered encrypted Android backups since 2018) and messaging platforms like Signal and WhatsApp.
To hear the complete discussion and get expert insights on this crucial development in tech privacy, tune in to This Week in Tech, "Self-driving Government," available now on your favorite podcast platform.
