Apple Challenges UK Order Seeking Access to Encrypted iCloud Data

Apple is reportedly challenging a new U.K. government demand seeking access to encrypted iCloud user data, according to the Financial Times. The company has filed a complaint with the U.K.’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which hears cases involving government surveillance powers.

The legal challenge follows a “technical capability notice” issued by the U.K. government last year. The secret legal order can require technology companies to provide access to user data, including information protected by encryption.

Privacy advocates have argued that such a demand would effectively require Apple to create a backdoor into iCloud backups protected by Advanced Data Protection (ADP). The optional security feature uses end-to-end encryption, meaning only the customer, and not Apple, can access the protected data.

Dispute follows earlier confrontation.

The latest case comes about a year after Apple faced a similar request from the U.K. government. In early 2025, London reportedly issued a secret order seeking access to users’ encrypted iCloud backups. That demand was later withdrawn following intervention by the Trump administration.

After the first order, Apple removed the ability for U.K. users to enable Advanced Data Protection. According to the report, the government later issued a second order in October, which Apple is now challenging through the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.