Finance

UK orders Apple to give it access to users' encrypted accounts, Washington Post reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 7, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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UK government demands Apple create backdoor for user account access - Global Banking & Finance Review
This image illustrates the UK government's demand for Apple to develop a backdoor for accessing encrypted user accounts, highlighting the tension between security and privacy in digital finance.
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(Reuters) -Britain's security officials have ordered that Apple create a so-called 'back door' allowing them to retrieve all the content any Apple user worldwide has uploaded to the cloud, The

UK Demands Apple Provide Access to Encrypted Accounts

(Reuters) -Britain's security officials have ordered that Apple create a so-called 'back door' allowing them to retrieve all the content any Apple user worldwide has uploaded to the cloud, The Washington Post reported on Friday citing people familiar with the matter.

Rather than break the security promises it made to its users everywhere, Apple is likely to stop offering encrypted storage in the UK, the report said, citing unnamed sources.

UK's office of the Home Secretary has served Apple with a document called a technical capability notice, ordering it to provide the access, as per Washington Post.

Apple did not respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.

Britain's interior ministry did not immediately comment on the report.

Britain in January used its regulatory powers to launch an investigation into Apple and Google's smartphone operating systems, app stores and browsers.

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

Key Takeaways

  • UK orders Apple to create a backdoor for encrypted accounts.
  • Apple may stop offering encrypted storage in the UK.
  • A technical capability notice was served to Apple.
  • Apple and UK's interior ministry have not commented.
  • UK investigates Apple and Google's smartphone systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The UK has ordered Apple to provide access to users' encrypted accounts, which could lead to Apple ending encrypted storage in the UK.
Why is Apple likely to stop offering encrypted storage in the UK?
To avoid breaking its security promises to users worldwide, Apple might stop offering encrypted storage in the UK.
What is a technical capability notice?
It is a document served by the UK government ordering Apple to provide access to encrypted accounts.

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