It turns out that the UK Home Office has again ordered the creation of a backdoor for Apple's cloud storage
The UK Home Office has ordered Apple to create a backdoor to access encrypted cloud storage. This is the second such order issued in 2025. The first order, issued in early 2025, was
UK makes new attempt to access Apple cloud data
https://www.ft.com/content/d101fd62-14f9-4f51-beff-ea41e8794265
UK government resumes row with Apple by demanding access to British users' data | Data protection | The Guardian
UK government tries again to access encrypted Apple customer data: Report | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/01/uk-government-tries-again-to-access-encrypted-apple-customer-data-report/
Apple's iCloud has an 'Advanced Data Protection' feature that provides end-to-end encryption, making it impossible for even Apple to view the contents of stored information. In January 2025, the UK government sent Apple a 'Technical Capability Notice' ordering it to install a backdoor to access this encrypted user data.
The UK government reportedly asked Apple to create a backdoor that could access all users' data - GIGAZINE
In response, Apple denied the allegations, saying, 'We have never installed a backdoor and have no plans to do so in the future,' and then discontinued the 'Advanced Data Protection' feature in the UK.
Ultimately, the British government rescinded the order.
What's different about this second attempt is that the second 'Technical Capability Notice' seeks 'a backdoor that would allow access to user data of UK citizens.'
An Apple spokesperson did not specifically address the second notice, but stated, 'We are disappointed that we are unable to offer 'Advanced Data Protection' in the UK. Apple is committed to providing the highest level of personal security for our users and hopes to be able to offer a similar service in the UK in the future. To reiterate, Apple has never created backdoors or master keys in our products or services, and we have no intention of doing so in the future.'
A Home Office spokesperson responded to a question about the matter saying, 'We do not comment on operational matters.'
Regarding this matter, the Financial Times quoted a source as saying, 'A senior British government official said the US government has not asked for the order to be revoked.'
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