UK Home Office silent on alleged Apple backdoor order

Reports indicate the UK Home Office may have issued a secret order under the Investigatory Powers Act compelling Apple to enable government access to encrypted iCloud data; the Home Office refused to comment, Apple has not responded, and the NCSC referred inquiries back to the Home Office. The piece details the legal context (including the Online Safety Act and April 2024 IPA expansion), the appeal process, industry and privacy advocates’ opposition, and experts’ warnings that such requirements could prompt major service providers to scale back or exit the UK market.