UK Government Loses Effort to Keep Secret Its Attempt to Force Back Door into Apple’s Advanced Data Protection

UK government lost in its effort to keep secret a battle to force Apple to provide back door access to its Advanced Data Protection.

The contest of wills between the two entities is now at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which considers whether intelligence service have exceeded their lawful boundaries. Government wanted that kept secret.

Apple’s Advanced Data Protection heavily encrypts data stored on its server computers. The Home Office served Apple with a Technical Capability Notice, demanding access to the service. Apple removed the service from the UK market rather than comply with the government’s demand.

The existence of a TCN cannot be revealed by a target without the Home Secretary’s permission. However, tribunal’s policy is that hearings should only be closed to the public when it is “strictly necessary.” Reporters were barred from a hearing about the case in mid-March.

In this instance, the tribunal itself chose to release minimal information about the case, revealing its existence.

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