Apple Appeals UK Encryption Backdoor Order

Apple is challenging the U.K. government’s order to provide a backdoor into its encrypted user data, issued in January.

A source familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that the tech giant has lodged an appeal to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the regulatory body that hears complaints against U.K. intelligence services.

This potentially represents the first time that the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act has been challenged, though it’s impossible to say for sure, as the law requires such challenges to remain secret.

The appeal comes after Apple disabled its Advanced Data Protection for new signups in the U.K. and started turning it off for existing users.

It’s not clear exactly when the appeal will be heard, and it’s possible that no public announcement will accompany it, but the Financial Times’ source claimed it could be as soon as this month.

Although a public announcement might not be forthcoming, chances are details of the decision will be leaked. No matter the outcome, we’ll continue to cover the story as it unfolds.