Apple takes legal action to try to reverse a request made by the British government to consult the private data of its customers if necessary.
The BBC understands that the American technology giant called on the court of investigation powers, an independent court with the power to investigate complaints against the security service.
This is the last development of an unprecedented row between one of the largest technological companies in the world and the British government on data confidentiality.
In January, Apple received a secret order from the Ministry of the Interior to share encrypted data from Apple users worldwide with British police in the event of a potential national security threat.
Data protected by Apple’s standard encryption level is always accessible by the company if a mandate is issued, but the company cannot display or share encrypted data using its most difficult confidentiality tool, Advanced Data Protection (ADP).
ADP is an opt-in functionality and we don’t know how many people use it.
Last week, Apple chose to remove the ADP from the British market rather than complying with the opinion, which would involve creating a “stolen door” in the tool to create access.
Apple said at the time that he would never compromise his security features and that he was disappointed to have to take action in the United Kingdom.
The order of the United Kingdom has also angry the American administration with President Donald Trump describing it to the spectator as “something you hear with China”.
Tulsi Gabbard, American intelligence chief, said that she had not been informed in advance of the United Kingdom’s request.
She described it in a letter as a “blatant violation” of the rights of American citizens to privacy and that she intended to know if he violated the terms of a legal data agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom.
The FT, which for the first time revealed Apple’s prosecution, reports that the court affair could be heard in the coming weeks, but cannot be made public.
The Ministry of the Interior refused to confirm or deny that the opinion issued in January exists. Legally, this order cannot be made public.
But a spokesperson said: “More broadly, the United Kingdom has a long-standing position to protect our citizens from the worst crimes, such as sexual abuse and children’s terrorism, at the same time as the protection of people’s privacy.
“The United Kingdom has robust guarantees and independent surveillance to protect privacy and privacy is only affected on an exceptional basis, compared to the most serious crimes and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so.”
Apple refused to comment.
