A group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers is pressing the U.K.’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) to hold a public hearing on Apple’s backdoor case. Senator Ron Wyden and four other federal lawmakers addressed a letter to the president of the U.K.’s surveillance court, arguing that secrecy is against the public interest. They insist that any proceedings involving the alleged U.K. government technical capabilities notice—a demand to create a data access backdoor—should be held openly.
The letter further claims that this undisclosed order not only prevents Apple from exercising its free speech rights under U.S. law but also hinders congressional oversight.
The Alleged U.K. Order and Apple’s Response
In February 2024, The Washington Post reported that the U.K. government secretly ordered Apple to introduce a backdoor in its iCloud encryption, allowing authorities worldwide access to user data. Rather than comply, Apple chose to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection feature from U.K. customers.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which handles cases related to U.K. surveillance laws, is scheduled for a private hearing on Friday, reportedly connected to Apple, according to Wyden’s letter.
Apple has declined to comment on the situation. A U.K. government spokesperson also refused to confirm or deny the existence of such a notice, citing operational policies.
Growing Concerns Over Secret Surveillance Orders
The extent of the U.K. government’s demands remains unclear, but the lawmakers’ letter suggests Apple isn’t the only tech giant affected.
According to Wyden, Google informed his office that if it had received a similar technical capabilities notice, it would be legally barred from disclosing it. This raises concerns about how many other companies might be under similar restrictions.
Privacy and Civil Rights Groups Join the Fight
Several advocacy groups, including Liberty and Privacy International, have filed legal challenges against the U.K. government’s alleged surveillance demand. These organizations are also urging the IPT to hold Apple’s hearing in public, aligning with broader calls from privacy rights groups for greater transparency in government surveillance practices.
What’s Next?
The outcome of this case could have global implications for digital privacy, corporate transparency, and government surveillance powers. If Apple successfully pushes back against the U.K.’s order, it could set a precedent for tech companies resisting government demands for backdoor access to encrypted data.
As pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups builds, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal faces mounting scrutiny over its decision to keep the proceedings behind closed doors.
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