The iPhone maker has launched a fresh legal challenge over demands concerning access to encrypted iCloud data belonging to British users.
Apple has launched another legal battle against the UK government over demands for access to highly encrypted user data – reopening a privacy row that has stretched from Westminster to Washington.
The technology giant confirmed it has filed a complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the specialist UK court that considers challenges involving surveillance powers.
The latest action concerns a new Home Office technical capability notice seeking access to encrypted iCloud backups belonging to British users, according to the Financial Times, after an earlier and broader government demand was withdrawn following objections in the United States.
The government said: “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 not publicly disclosed the details of its latest complaint, but confirmed that a new legal challenge had been filed.
The dispute centres on Advanced Data Protection, Apple’s optional security system that provides end-to-end encryption for categories of information stored in iCloud, including backups, photos, Drive data and voice memos.
End-to-end encryption means the information is protected so even Apple itself cannot access its contents.
Apple withdrew Advanced Data Protection from new UK users in February 2025 after the government issued its original demand under the Investigatory Powers Act.
At the time, Apple said it was “gravely disappointed” that it could no longer offer the feature to new customers in Britain.
The company added: “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 Investigatory Powers Act gives the government powers to issue technical capability notices requiring companies to make technical changes that can assist UK security and law enforcement agencies.
The government unsuccessfully attempted to prevent legal challenges concerning its first notice to Apple from being heard publicly.
That demand subsequently became the subject of a transatlantic dispute after US politicians raised concerns that it could potentially affect data belonging to American citizens.
The original notice was later withdrawn following discussions between Britain and the administration of US president Donald Trump, 80.
A fresh demand was issued in October, according to the Financial Times, but was narrowed to cover UK users rather than American customers.
Apple has now challenged that demand at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
The dispute comes as Apple continues to expand the products and services built around the iPhone, iCloud and its wider ecosystem.
The company unveiled Siri AI and new Apple Intelligence features at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, alongside new parental controls and child-safety features.
Apple has also recently introduced the iPhone 17e, while end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging began rolling out in beta in May – adding another encryption-related development to the company’s services.
The legal challenge has been welcomed by privacy campaigners who have previously opposed government attempts to require technology companies to provide access to encrypted information.
Privacy International said: “We are happy to learn that Apple is once again challenging the UK’s regime of secret orders.
“While we don’t know the substance of Apple’s claim, if it relates to the previously reported orders aimed at undermining the security of Apple’s iCloud storage, then Apple’s claim, alongside side ours and Liberty’s, is crucially important to preserving all of our privacy and security.”
Ruth Ehrlich, director of external relations at Liberty, told the BBC the case was “hugely important” and had “far-reaching implications for the public’s privacy rights well into the future”.
Ruth said: “End-to-end encryption is an essential security tool that protects our personal data, including our bank details, health information, private conversations and images.
“Opening a backdoor to all of that information carries a wide range of risks to our personal data. It is critical that the Government listens to the many concerns and commits to protecting our privacy rights.”
Sir Brian Leveson, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, has previously challenged descriptions of such government access as a “backdoor”.
Brian said technical capability notices would only be issued “if the Secretary of State deems it necessary and proportionate, and this decision is independently reviewed and approved by a Judicial Commissioner”.
He said any subsequent requests for information would require separate authorisation under the Investigatory Powers Act and would also be subject to independent oversight.
Apple, whose iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and other devices have made it one of the world’s largest consumer technology companies, has repeatedly maintained that weakening encryption for one government could undermine security more widely.
The latest complaint follows the previous legal challenge from Apple as well as separate action involving Privacy International and Liberty, with the dispute once again set to be considered by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
Apple takes UK government to court again in ‘backdoor’ privacy battle
