Apple Appeals Back Door Demand, US Intel Chief Warns of Cybersecurity Risks
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is continuing to fight a U.K. government order that would require it to create a so-called back door into users' encrypted cloud data.
The company appealed the mandate to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, a court that handles cases involving surveillance and alleged misuse of investigatory powers by public bodies. In a new ruling, the Tribunal rejected a request from the U.K. Home Department to keep basic details of the case confidential, including the names of the involved parties.
Earlier this year, U.K. officials ordered Apple to disable end-to-end encryption for users in Britain. Instead of complying, Apple removed the feature altogether from its U.K. services but has maintained its global encryption stance.
The U.K. government argues the measure is needed for national security purposes, including combating terrorism and child exploitation. Apple, backed by several voices in the U.S., maintains that creating a back door would compromise global privacy standards.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has expressed concern, warning in a letter that such a move could expose Americans' personal data to cyber threats. The Tribunal said case management orders will follow after parties respond to the ruling
. It's important to note that the stock is down 10% year?to?date, compared to the sector median's 15% decline. Over the past six months, it has dropped 20% compared to the sector's 25% pullback, indicating relative resilience. Even at the one?year mark, the stock's 5% decline still fares better than the sector's double?digit slump.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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