Privacy Rights Groups are calling for a legal challenge to Apple's secret UK government order to backdoors for an end-to-end encryption (E2EE) version of iCloud storage services that are heard in public places rather than in closed rooms.
The existence of orders emerged in a reporter's report last month. Apple has confirmed it has shut down advanced data protection services for UK users. However, it is unclear whether Apple's actions are considered compliant, as surveillance orders requiring law enforcement access to data stored within the E2EE service are also believed to include information about users outside the country. This means that many people are on the appeal filed against the legality of the order.
Appeals regarding UK surveillance matters are often heard behind closed doors – Power of Investigation (IPT) – often. However, in a joint letter to the IPT president, rights group Big Brother Watch, Censorship Index, and Open Rights Group, are seeking the iCloud case to be heard in public.
“This case includes the privacy rights of millions of UK citizens using Apple's technology and the privacy rights of Apple's international users,” they warn. “I have great interest in knowing that the UK government believes that on what basis it can force private companies to undermine the privacy and security of their customers.”
IPT has an obligation to follow the letter and hear the incident in public unless it threatens the national interest or citizens by doing so. However, the three groups argue that such conditions do not apply here. On the contrary, they suggest that public interest will be provided by the open broadcast of the iCloud incident.