Apple Warns UK Surveillance Laws Could Endanger iPhone Users’ Privacy and Services
Apple has expressed concerns over planned changes to British surveillance laws, stating that they could potentially impact the privacy of iPhone users. The tech giant warns that these changes may force the company to withdraw security features, which could ultimately lead to the closure of services like FaceTime and iMessage in the UK.
The UK government has been making moves that Apple perceives as threats to online privacy. Last month, Apple spoke out against provisions in the upcoming online safety bill, stating that they could jeopardize message encryption. Now, the company’s latest concerns revolve around the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which grants the Home Office the power to seek access to encrypted content through a technology capability notice (TCN).
End-to-end encryption, a crucial privacy feature, ensures that only the sender and recipient of a message can see its content. This technology has become a battleground between governments and tech firms. Apple highlights that the proposed changes include a provision that would give the UK government oversight of security changes to its products, including regular iOS software updates. The Home Office has suggested “mandating” operators to notify the home secretary of changes that could have a “negative impact on investigatory powers.”
In response, Apple wrote in a submission to the government that this move would essentially grant the home secretary control over security and encryption updates worldwide. This provision, when combined with further proposals reinforcing requirements for non-UK companies operating via a global platform, would effectively make the Home Office the governing body that determines acceptable levels of data security and encryption.
Apple is particularly troubled by a proposed amendment that would allow the UK government to immediately block the implementation of a security feature while a TCN is being considered, instead of allowing the feature to be used during the appeal process.
The company has issued a warning that it may withdraw security features in the UK market rather than build a “backdoor” into its products for government use. Encrypted products such as FaceTime and iMessage, which rely on end-to-end encryption, could ultimately be at risk in the UK. Apple insists that these features are essential to the core security of its services.
“If the government push on regardless then Apple will simply join the growing band of vendors that would leave the UK,” said Alan Woodward, a professor of cybersecurity. He warns that British users could become one of the most isolated and insecure groups globally if these proposals are enacted.
The House of Lords recently approved a government amendment related to encrypted messaging in the online safety bill. Under this amendment, the communications watchdog Ofcom would have to await a report from a “skilled person” before ordering a messaging service to use “accredited technology.” Privacy campaigners criticize this provision as potentially forcing platforms like WhatsApp and Signal to break or weaken end-to-end encryption.
Dr. Nathalie Moreno, a partner at the UK law firm Addleshaw Goddard, states that little information is available about the content of the report to Ofcom and the qualification of the “skilled person.” She warns that once the government is granted powers to intercept private messaging services, there may be no turning back.
Privacy advocates are concerned about the impact these changes could have on the UK population’s right to privacy. The campaign group Index on Censorship, which backed an amendment proposing judicial oversight of Ofcom’s powers, describes the outcome as “disastrous.” However, the NSPCC, a children’s safety charity, argues that the debate over the online safety bill is overshadowing the safety rights of child sexual abuse victims.
A government spokesperson emphasizes that the Investigatory Powers Act is designed to protect the public from criminals, child sex abusers, and terrorists. They assure that the act is subject to strong independent oversight and that no decisions have been made yet.
As the 12-week consultation period continues, Apple’s submission serves as a strong statement against the proposed changes, highlighting the potential consequences for both the privacy of iPhone users and the company’s operations in the UK. The outcome of the ongoing debate remains uncertain, but it is clear that the issue of encryption will continue to be fiercely contested between governments and tech firms.