More than 100 civil society organizations, tech companies and cybersecurity experts urge the United Kingdom to cancel his order to Apple to create a back door for its end-to-end encrypted cloud storage service.
UK’s Apple iCloud Backdoor “Jeopardizes millions and privacy and privacy, undermines the British tech sector and sets a dangerous precedent for global cyber security,” the coalition wrote in an open letter published on February 13, 2025.
This is coming as Apple could soon be forced to give away all users’ encrypted data to the British government, which recently presented the Big Tech giant with a message issued under the Investigation Act. The requirements are remarkable as it is aimed at all encrypted content iPhone, iPad and MacOS users have been saved globally using Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP).
So far, the signatories include some companies that use encryption technologies to build their software like Surfshark, one of the best VPN services on the market, encrypted messaging app element and secure E email. The letter is set to remain open to multiple characters from the cybersecurity industry until February 20, before being sent to the Home Secretary.
The consequences of undermining encryption
Encryption is the industry-used backbone of Internet-private life and security. This technology is actually shrinking online content in an ulcerous form to keep it private between the sender and the recipient at all times.
However, law enforcement organs find encrypted software an obstacle when conducting criminal investigations and pressing to find a way to choose in this digital lock.
This is why the United Kingdom issued a technical capacity message (or TCN) to Apple under the Law on the Controversial Act on Investigation of 2016, adding the ongoing pressure in and out of Europe to create back doors in encrypted software.
If successful, experts explain, the consequences can go far beyond the country’s border. “The world’s second largest mobile devices provider would be built on top of a systemic security error, which put all its users’ security and privacy at risk, not only in the UK but globally.”
Over 100 Internet leaders, academics, organizations and businesses have expressed their alarm with the British government’s attempt to create back doors on encrypted backups. They require it to stop. Read the full open letter here ⬇ https://t.co/khbxrh114a13 February 2025
CyberSecurity experts have long claimed that encryption back doors cannot work at a technical level. Encryption is safe for everyone or it is not for anyone. This is the mantra that is religiously repeated throughout the industry to explain how criminals will also exploit these government’s demanded vulnerabilities to their advantage.
Experts are particularly concerned about the influence that undermines the confidentiality of cloud storage services on the most vulnerable users whose online confidentiality can be critical to prevent harassment.
Did you know?
In the wake of the China-bound Salt Typhon attack on all major national telecommunications companies, US authorities have called on all Americans to switch to encrypted communication. “Encryption is your friend,” one of CISA’s leaders said back in December.
They also fear the National Security of Britain, as “the delivery of back doors can in one case cause encryption to also be weakened across the ecosystem of the public sector,” they noted.
Not just privacy and security. Britain’s encryption Back door requirements can promote an emigration of tech companies that are unwilling to undermine their security infrastructure from the country. Such as Signal and WhatsApp already threatened to leave the UK on similar reasons for the online security calculation series.
“UK companies will also suffer reputation, as foreign investors and consumers will consider whether their products are filled with secret British state mandate safety vulnerability,” experts warn.
“To secure the National and Economic Security of the United Kingdom, the Home Office must end its technical capacity message, forcing Apple to break its end-to-end encryption.”
While Apple or the British Home Office refused to comment on the matter so far, US legislators are now calling for Trump administration to push back.
It also remains unclear how the requirements will be technically implemented, as well as whether Google or Meta is – or will be – the next goal.
