Apple is challenging a directive from the British government requiring the company to implement a “back door” in its encrypted cloud storage systems, confirmed the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) on Monday.
In a written decision, the IPT stated that it had denied the British government’s request to keep “the bare details of the case,” which includes Apple’s involvement, private.
Requests for comments from both Apple and the Home Office, the UK’s interior ministry, went unanswered.
According to a report by The Washington Post from February, the UK issued a “technical capability notice” to Apple, mandating the company to facilitate access to encrypted data such as messages and photos for users outside of Britain.
Apple has consistently maintained its stance against creating any form of backdoor in its encrypted services, citing concerns that such measures could be exploited by malicious hackers in addition to government entities. This viewpoint aligns with perspectives shared by many security professionals.
In response to the UK government’s extensive demands, Apple decided to retract its advanced security encryption feature, known as Advanced Data Protection, for new users in Britain.
Further reports by the Financial Times indicated that Apple has lodged an appeal against the government order; however, details surrounding the case remain largely confidential, with neither Apple nor the UK authorities publicly confirming the existence of the technical capability notice.
The IPT noted that neither Apple nor the British government has verified or refuted the accuracy of media reports surrounding this issue, adding that the judgment should not be construed as an endorsement of the media’s coverage.
The Home Office had claimed that disclosing the nature of the appeal or Apple’s involvement could pose a risk to national security.
Nevertheless, Judges Rabinder Singh and Jeremy Johnson expressed their disagreement, stating they did not believe that revealing the basic details of the case would harm the public interest or be detrimental to national security.
This ruling emerged following a closed hearing held in London last month, where media representatives were not permitted to be present.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
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