UK: Apple and privacy groups challenge government’s secret demand for access to users’ encrypted data
In February 2025, it was reported that the UK government had issued a secret order requiring Apple to allow law enforcement and intelligence agencies access to users’ secured data stored on iCloud. Later reports indicated that Apple had challenged the order before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
In March 2025, campaign groups Privacy International and Liberty, along with two individuals, also brought legal challenges and called for the proceedings to be held in public.
In July 2025, the Tribunal decided that it would hear the challenges “at the earliest opportunity” in 2026, on the basis of “assumed facts”, which will allow the proceedings to take place in public.
In August 2025, it was reported that the UK government had withdrawn the order following backlash from the US government.
In October 2025, it was reported that the UK government had issued a new secret order, this time targeting only British users' data.
In August 2026, it was reported that Apple had also challenged this order before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.