Latest news with #CarolineWilsonPalow
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Human rights groups challenge Apple's privacy fight with the UK government
Two UK human rights groups have challenged the government's attempts to force tech titan Apple to weaken its security systems, saying the process lacks transparency. The UK government had attempted to force Apple to create a 'back door' in its implemented security systems. Liberty and Privacy International have filed a legal complaint against the tech company with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), the Financial Times first reported. It called for Apple's appeal against the order to be heard publicly and claimed the demand violated users' free speech and privacy rights. Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director of Privacy International, argued: 'The UK's use of a secret order to undermine security for people worldwide is unacceptable and disproportionate.' The iPhone maker is also fighting the order issued under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA). The firm withdrew its secure iCloud backup device from its UK market earlier this year after receiving a 'technical capability notice'(TCN) in January. The notice reportedly required the firm to give law enforcement access to encrypted iPhone backups. Yet, the tech giant was legally prohibited from discussing this publicly. 'We have never built a back door or master key to any of our products, and we never will', Apple had argued at the time. The two human rights groups have argued that the secrecy surrounding TCNs prevents accountability and transparency. Several publications have made submissions to the IPT, urging the tribunal to hold the case in open court. The dispute has drawn criticism from the US, where lawmakers have urged British authorities to be more transparent about the IPA. They have warned that the secrecy around UK government demands to leading US big techs has posed a threat to privacy and free speech. The news follows Apple's recent decision to remove its advanced data protection feature from the UK, following a dispute with the government over encryption and access to user data. It also comes as firms like Apple, Google and Meta, have been targeted by mammoth class action lawsuits in the UK in recent years. Security minister Dan Jarvis told MPs in February: 'The suggestion that privacy and security are at odds is not correct; we can and must have both'. The tribunal will hold a closed hearing on Apple's case on Friday. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row
Apple's appeal against a UK government demand to be able to access its customers' most highly encrypted data is set to be considered at a secret hearing at the High Court on Friday, the BBC understands. It is due to be considered by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal - an independent court which has the power to investigate claims against the UK intelligence services. The US tech giant took legal action earlier this month in response to the Home Office's demand for the right to access customer information protected by Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP) programme. Currently Apple cannot access data stored in this way and therefore is unable to share it with law enforcement if issued with a warrant. The government says it needs to be able to see it if there is a national security risk. The US tech giant took legal action earlier this month in response to the Home Office's demand for the right to access customer information protected by Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP) programme. Apple declined to comment. The Home Office and the Tribunal have been approached by the BBC. The hearing is due to be held in private because it relates to the security services, but campaigners say the public has a right to hear it. "This hearing should not be held in secret," Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director at Privacy International told the BBC. "The public has a right to know whether or not the security of a service that could be used by millions or perhaps billions of people worldwide is being undermined." What Apple pulling Advanced Data Protection means for you The row began in February when it first emerged the government was seeking the right to be able to access data protected by ADP, using powers granted to it under the Investigatory Powers Act. The Act allows it to covertly compel firms to provide information to law enforcement agencies. ADP allows users with iCloud accounts and storage to secure photos, notes, voice memos and other data with end to end encryption, meaning no-one but the user - not even Apple - can access it. Getting round that would involve the creation of a so-called "backdoor" - a capability some fear bad actors would ultimately be able to exploit. At the time Apple reiterated its long-standing commitment not to weaken the privacy or security of its systems. "As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will," a spokesperson told the BBC. Later in February the row escalated, as Apple announced it was pulling ADP in the UK. Shortly after that, the BBC learnt Apple was taking legal action by appealing to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to try to overturn the government's demand. On its website, the Tribunal lists a hearing to be held before its president Lord Rabinder Singh on Friday afternoon. The listing makes no mention of Apple or the government, nor has the Tribunal confirmed if they are the parties involved however a source familiar with the matter has indicated that is the case. In the statement it issued in February, Apple said it regretted the action it felt it had been forced to take. "Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end-encryption is more urgent than ever before," it said. "Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in future in the UK." In a previous statement, a Home Office spokesperson said: "The UK has a longstanding position of protecting our citizens from the very worst crimes, such as child sex abuse and terrorism, at the same time as protecting people's privacy. "The UK has robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and privacy is only impacted on an exceptional basis, in relation to the most serious crimes and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so."
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Secret hearing on Friday in Apple and UK government data row
Apple's appeal against a UK government demand to be able to access its customers' most highly encrypted data is set to be considered at a secret hearing at the High Court on Friday, the BBC is due to be considered by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal - an independent court which has the power to investigate claims against the UK intelligence US tech giant took legal action earlier this month in response to the Home Office's demand for the right to access customer information protected by Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP) Apple cannot access data stored in this way and therefore is unable to share it with law enforcement if issued with a government says it needs to be able to see it if there is a national security US tech giant took legal action earlier this month in response to the Home Office's demand for the right to access customer information protected by Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP) declined to comment. The Home Office and the Tribunal have been approached by the BBC. The hearing is due to be held in private because it relates to the security services, but campaigners say the public has a right to hear it."This hearing should not be held in secret," Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director at Privacy International told the BBC."The public has a right to know whether or not the security of a service that could be used by millions or perhaps billions of people worldwide is being undermined." The row began in February when it first emerged the government was seeking the right to be able to access data protected by ADP, using powers granted to it under the Investigatory Powers Act allows it to covertly compel firms to provide information to law enforcement allows users with iCloud accounts and storage to secure photos, notes, voice memos and other data with end to end encryption, meaning no-one but the user - not even Apple - can access it. Getting round that would involve the creation of a so-called "backdoor" - a capability some fear bad actors would ultimately be able to the time Apple reiterated its long-standing commitment not to weaken the privacy or security of its systems. "As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products, and we never will," a spokesperson told the in February the row escalated, as Apple announced it was pulling ADP in the after that, the BBC learnt Apple was taking legal action by appealing to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to try to overturn the government's its website, the Tribunal lists a hearing to be held before its president Lord Rabinder Singh on Friday listing makes no mention of Apple or the government, nor has the Tribunal confirmed if they are the parties involved however a source familiar with the matter has indicated that is the the statement it issued in February, Apple said it regretted the action it felt it had been forced to take."Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end-encryption is more urgent than ever before," it said."Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and are hopeful that we will be able to do so in future in the UK."In a previous statement, a Home Office spokesperson said: "The UK has a longstanding position of protecting our citizens from the very worst crimes, such as child sex abuse and terrorism, at the same time as protecting people's privacy."The UK has robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and privacy is only impacted on an exceptional basis, in relation to the most serious crimes and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so."
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple Ordered by UK to Build Backdoor to Access User Data
(Bloomberg) -- The UK government has ordered Apple Inc. to build a backdoor to give it access to global user data, in a move that could spark one of the biggest privacy fights in the iPhone maker's history. Nice Airport, If You Can Get to It: No Subway, No Highway, No Bridge Citadel to Leave Namesake Chicago Tower as Employees Relocate NYC Sees Pedestrian Traffic Increase in Congestion-Pricing Zone How London's Taxi Drivers Navigate the City Without GPS Transportation Memos Favor Places With Higher Birth and Marriage Rates British authorities in an undisclosed order in January asked Apple to circumvent encryption that the company uses to secure user data stored in its cloud services, according to a person familiar with the matter. The mandate orders Apple to provide access under the UK's Investigatory Powers Act, a law that granted officials the authority to compel companies to remove encryption under what's known as a 'technical capability notice.' The law also makes it illegal for companies to reveal when the government has made such an order. Apple declined to comment on the matter. In March 2024, it said 'protecting our users' privacy and the security of their data is at the very heart of everything we do' and said that it's 'deeply concerned the proposed amendments.' 'It's an unprecedented overreach by the government and, if enacted, the UK could attempt to secretly veto new user protections globally preventing us from ever offering them to customers,' the company said at the time. 'We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices,' said a spokesperson for the UK's Home Office. It appears the situation relates to the 2022 rollout of iCloud Advanced Data Protection, an optional feature that encrypts most data within a user's iCloud account, including their text messages and device backups. One solution could be Apple disabling the mechanism for British users. The development, reported earlier Friday by the Washington Post, marks a significant escalation in a yearslong dispute over encryption and access to users' private data between Western governments and technology companies. Apple has previously resisted government pressure to weaken or circumvent encryption on the grounds that such a move would undermine privacy and cybersecurity. Authorities argue that they need to access user data to pursue national security and criminal investigations. Caroline Wilson Palow, legal director at London-based rights group Privacy International, said that the UK was attempting to force Apple's hand, and had 'pulled the trigger' on one of its 'most intrusive and potentially damaging' surveillance powers. 'As it has long threatened, the UK has finally moved against Apple in an attempt to undermine end-to-end encryption,' Wilson Palow said. 'This overreach sets a hugely damaging precedent and may embolden abusive regimes the world over.' Leading technology companies including Apple, Alphabet Inc.'s Google, and Microsoft Corp. have raised concerns that UK authorities could force them to install a 'backdoor' to circumvent their encryption. Apple has defended using encryption in its products, saying that it was 'critical to shielding everyday citizens from unlawful surveillance, identity theft, fraud and data breaches, and it serves as an invaluable protection for journalists, human rights activists and diplomats who may be targeted by malicious actors.' The UK government has frequently criticized social media and messaging platforms for using strong encryption that prevents authorities from reviewing private communications and other content shared online, arguing that it thwarts the investigation of serious crimes, such as terrorism and child sexual exploitation. In 2020, UK officials, alongside counterparts in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, wrote in a joint letter that encryption was posing 'significant challenges to public safety' and called on technology companies to 'enable law enforcement access to content in a readable and usable format.' In the wake of the 2015 San Bernardino shooting, the FBI asked Apple build a backdoor to give the bureau access to data from the attack's perpetrators. Apple refused, creating a massive privacy scandal in the US. The issue was ultimately resolved when the US government used a third-party to crack the shooter's device. --With assistance from Lucy White. (Updated to include additional context in final paragraph. A prior version of this story included an incorrect spelling for Caroline Wilson Palow.) Business Schools Confront Trump Immigration Policies Orange Juice Makers Are Desperate for a Comeback Believing in Aliens Derailed This Internet Pioneer's Career. Now He's Facing Prison The Reason Why This Super Bowl Has So Many Conspiracy Theories Inside Elon Musk's Attack on the US Government ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
UK demands access to Apple users' encrypted data
The UK government has demanded to be able to access encrypted data stored by Apple users worldwide in its cloud service. Currently only the Apple account holder can access data stored in this way - the tech giant itself cannot view it. The demand has been served by the Home Office under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which compels firms to provide information to law enforcement agencies. Apple declined to comment, but says on its website that it views privacy as a "fundamental human right". Under the law, the demand cannot be made public. The news was first reported by the Washington Post quoting sources familiar with the matter, and the BBC has spoken to similar contacts. The Home Office said: "We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices." Privacy International called it an "unprecedented attack" on the private data of individuals. "This is a fight the UK should not have picked," said the charity's legal director Caroline Wilson Palow. "This overreach sets a hugely damaging precedent and will embolden abusive regimes the world over." The demand applies to all content stored using what Apple calls "Advanced Data Protection" (ADP). This uses something called end-to-end encryption, where only the account holder can access the data stored - even Apple itself cannot see it. It is an opt-in service, and not all users choose to activate it. This is because, while it makes your data more secure, it comes with a downside - it encrypts your data so heavily that it cannot be recovered if you lose access to your account. It is unknown how many people choose to use ADP. It's also important to note that the government notice does not mean the authorities are suddenly going to start combing through everybody's data. It is believed that the government would want to access this data if there were a risk to national security - in other words, it would be targeting an individual, rather than using it for mass surveillance. Authorities would still have to follow a legal process, have a good reason and request permission for a specific account in order to access data - just as they do now with unencrypted data. Apple has previously said it would pull encryption services like ADP from the UK market rather than comply with such government demands - telling Parliament it would "never build a back door" in its products. Cyber security experts agree that once such an entry point is in place, it is only a matter of time before bad actors also discover it. And withdrawing the product from the UK might not be enough to ensure compliance - the Investigatory Powers Act applies worldwide to any tech firm with a UK market, even if they are not based in Britain. Still, no Western government has yet been successful in attempts to force big tech firms like Apple to break their encryption. The US government has previously asked for this, but Apple has pointedly refused. In 2016, Apple resisted a court order to write software which would allow US officials to access the iPhone of a gunman - though this was resolved after the FBI were able to successfully access the device. That same year, the US dropped a similar case after it was able to gain access by discovering the person's passcode. Similar cases have followed, including in 2020, when Apple refused to unlock iPhones of a man who carried out a mass shooting at a US air base. The FBI later said it had been able to "gain access" to the phones. The tech giant can appeal against the government's demand but cannot delay implementing the ruling during the process even if it is eventually overturned, according to the legislation. The government argues that encryption enables criminals to hide more easily, and the FBI in the US has also been critical of the ADP tool. Professor Alan Woodward, cyber security expert from Surrey University, said he was "stunned" by the news, and privacy campaigners Big Brother Watch described the reports as "troubling". "This misguided attempt at tackling crime and terrorism will not make the UK safer, but it will erode the fundamental rights and civil liberties of the entire population," the group said in a statement. UK children's charity the NSPCC has previously described encryption as being on the front line of child abuse because it enables abusers to share hidden content. But Apple says that privacy for its customers is at the heart of all its products and services. In 2024 the company contested proposed changes to the Investigatory Powers Act, calling it an "unprecedented overreach" of a government. The changes also included giving the government the power to veto new security measures before they were implemented. They were passed into law. "The main issue that comes from such powers being exercised is that it's unlikely to result in the outcome they want," said Lisa Forte, cyber security expert from Red Goat. "Criminals and terrorists will just pivot to other platforms and techniques to avoid incrimination. So it's the average, law abiding citizen who suffers by losing their privacy." Apple iPhone sales dip despite AI rollout Apple suspends error-strewn AI generated news alerts Apple pushes back on call to end diversity programme
