Apple resists renewed UK Govt demand to access encrypted iCloud data

Apple is again at the centre of a high-stakes clash with the UK government over encrypted data, after Home Office officials issued a fresh order demanding access to British users’ iCloud accounts.

According to reports, the Home Office has revived a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) under the Investigatory Powers Act, requiring Apple to provide a way for authorities to access encrypted iCloud backups. The move follows a similar order earlier this year, which Apple appealed in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).

That case is still under way, with hearings conducted behind closed doors. While the government attempted to keep even the existence of the dispute secret, senior judges have insisted that “bare details” be made public, confirming Apple as the claimant. A final ruling has yet to be delivered, and the full terms of the notice remain classified.

In response to the government’s demands, Apple disabled its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature in the UK in February, blocking new users from enabling end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups. The company has since guided existing customers to disable the feature, but has insisted it has not built, and will not build, a “back door” into its systems.

The dispute has also spilled into international politics. Earlier this year, US intelligence officials confirmed that the UK had dropped an earlier requirement for Apple to provide access to American users’ data after Washington raised security concerns. The latest notice is understood to focus specifically on UK residents.

The UK is Apple’s third-largest market in Europe, and compliance could set a precedent for governments elsewhere seeking to bypass encryption. For UK businesses, the outcome could shape how securely corporate data stored in iCloud is protected and how far regulators can reach into technology providers’ infrastructure.

Forcing Apple to create a technical workaround risks weakening trust in digital services. Any back door created for government use is by definition a vulnerability that others can exploit,

The legal battle is expected to continue into 2026. In the meantime, Apple faces pressure to reassure UK customers and corporate clients that their data remains secure even as government demands for access intensify.