UK loses bid to keep Apple appeal against iPhone ‘backdoor’ a secret

Apple has prevailed over an attempt by the U.K. government to keep details confidential regarding its appeal against an order to create a “backdoor” to iPhone users’ data.

The U.K.’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal recently released a ruling rejecting the government’s bid to conceal information from a hearing on the appeal. The government’s argument for secrecy was based on national security concerns.

Judges Rabinder Singh and Judge Jeremy Johnson emphasized in their ruling that the government’s request for confidentiality during the hearing “would constitute a serious breach of the principle of open justice.”

“Conducting a hearing entirely in secrecy without any public knowledge would have been an extraordinary measure,” they stated.

When contacted by CNBC, Britain’s Home Office did not provide an immediate comment.

The ruling pertains to Apple’s appeal against a request from the U.K. government to allow access to iPhone users’ encrypted data through a technical “backdoor.”

This backdoor would enable officials to retrieve information protected by Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) system, which employs end-to-end encryption for various iCloud data.

Governments in the U.S., U.K., and EU have long criticized end-to-end encryption, arguing that it enables criminals, terrorists, and sex offenders to hide illicit activities.

In the U.K., the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 grants the government authority to compel tech firms to weaken their encryption technologies using “backdoors” — a highly contentious policy among the tech industry and privacy advocates.

Apple, known for its pro-privacy stance, has resisted attempts to weaken its encryption tools, citing risks to security and user safety.

Following the government’s directive, Apple discontinued its ADP system for U.K. users in February. In a blog post, the tech giant affirmed its commitment to not creating backdoors or master keys for any products or services.

“We regret that our UK customers can no longer utilize Advanced Data Protection (ADP), especially in light of increasing data breaches and privacy threats,” Apple expressed in the post.

“Apple remains dedicated to providing the highest level of security for user data and hopes to continue doing so in the future in the United Kingdom.”