Apple issues new challenge against UK order for access to private user data

Apple has confirmed it has launched a new legal complaint against the UK government at a court that deals with objections to the use of covert surveillance powers.

The tech giant has not told BBC News what the complaint relates to but the Financial Times , external has reported it is another challenge to a Home Office demand for so-called "backdoor" access to highly encrypted Apple user data.

The row, which centres on the government's desire to be able to see material protected by an advanced data protection system - which currently even Apple itself cannot access - has been rumbling on since early 2025.

The government said it would not comment on legal proceedings or what it called "operational matters".

But it added in a statement: "The UK supports strong encryption and robust privacy protections, but it is also vital that law enforcement can access communications when necessary and proportionate to protect the public from terrorism, serious crime, and child sexual abuse."

Apple has meanwhile referred reporters to a statement given last year, after its initial challenge to the UK government's request .

This said it was "gravely disappointed" it could still not offer its Advanced Data Protection feature to new UK users, following its decision to withdraw it in February 2025.

"As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services and we never will," the company added.

Since last February, UK iPhone users have been met with a notice on the Advanced Data Protection settings page which says the tool cannot be enabled.

Advanced Data Protection is an opt-in feature that allows users to turn on a higher level of protection for data stored in iCloud, such as back-ups, Drive storage, photos and voice memos.

It is secured using end-to-end encryption - meaning not even Apple would be able to see its contents.

The government's requests for Apple to permit it access to data held under this system were issued under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA).

It includes powers allowing the government to issue secret notices - called technical capability notices - which can secretly force companies to provide UK security services with ways to access customer data.

The government had fought unsuccessfully to keep legal challenges to its first notice to Apple secret.