Apple Fights Secret UK Order to Undermine iCloud Encryption, Advocates Demand Public Hearing

A secret court hearing regarding iCloud encryption is currently underway, with the British government demanding that Apple create backdoor access for all iCloud users globally. The Apple Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature allows end-to-end encryption for most of a user’s iCloud data, but enabling this would mean Apple cannot comply with any government demands for data access. In response to the secret order from the UK government, Apple withdrew ADP from UK users and filed an appeal, which it has not publicly disclosed due to legal constraints. The hearing is being held in secret at the Royal Courts of Justice, prompting objections from numerous UK media outlets, advocacy groups, and US Congress members who are calling for transparency. Critics argue that the UK government’s actions undermine global security and privacy protections.