UK Government Requests Backdoor to Apple’s User Data

In January 2025, the U.K. government requested backdoor access to all encrypted user data across Apple’s services.

In reporting by the Washington Post, a source close to the matter said that the government’s order amounts to “blanket access” to all encrypted material stored by Apple users.

The government order (known as a “technical capability notice”) comes from the Office of the Home Secretary, which is empowered under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act to compel companies to provide assistance with collecting evidence; Even revealing that such a request has been made is a criminal offense. 

Apple initially declined to comment on the reporting, and the Home Office said that: “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices.”

What happens next remains to be seen. If Apple doesn’t comply, it faces potentially severe  punishments from the U.K. government. On the other hand, cybersecurity experts warn that a backdoor created for U.K. users has the potential to be exploited on a global scale, both by governments and cybercriminals alike. 

No matter what happens, we’ll be sure to bring you any new developments once either party chooses to break their silence.