The UK asks Apple for user data! The U.S. government was furious, triggering a security crisis

Apple has always insisted on using end-to-end encryption technology (end-to-end encryption) Apple (Apple) was recently asked by the British government to open a back door to assist in criminal investigations, and even alarmed American high-level officials. British and American officials also held talks to resolve differences between the two sides, but Apple chose to directly target the "British region" to remove some encryption functions to protest, igniting an international dispute over information security and privacy.

Britain asked to "borrow", and Apple removed cloud encryption in protest

According to Bloomberg, the British government (Investigatory Powers Act) under the Powers of Investigation Act in January this year, requiring Apple to "borrow" so that the government can bypass encryption systems and obtain data related to national security or illegal crimes.

Apple believes that this requirement is equivalent to opening a back door, so it directly removed the highest level of cloud encryption in the UK market and reduced the iCloud security of British users in protest.

The US intelligence chief was outraged and criticized Britain for violating the right to privacy

Apple's decision not only caused dissatisfaction in the UK, but also caused high-level concern in the US government. U.S. Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard directly accused the United Kingdom of blatantly violating the privacy and civil liberties of the American people, and exposing user data to hacking attacks and hostile state surveillance, and Gabbard called for an investigation.

High-level high-level consultations between Britain and the United States were held privately, and Britain said it was not comprehensive surveillance

As the turmoil continued to expand, the British government rushed to talks with the United States to ease the dispute, with the aim of clarifying that Britain does not want to "fully monitor all users". However, it is limited to the investigation of major cases such as terrorism and child sex crimes, and each access will apply to the court for permission, which will not affect user privacy.

In addition, the British side also reiterated that the United States and the United Kingdom signed the UK-US Data Access Agreement (UK-US Data Access Agreement) as early as 201919 to ensure that both parties can handle it within a lawful scope and will not infringe on the rights and interests of the American people.

Apple is facing the British government in a secret trial

The controversy eventually entered the judicial process. Apple appealed to the UK government and held a secret hearing in the High Court of London on 3/15. As the case involves British national security, the trial will not be open to the public.

Apple believes that the British government has seriously overstepped its authority and may even detonate the security problems of users around the world, and Apple has the support of human rights groups such as Liberty and Privacy International.

U.S. lawmakers pressured Britain to lift the gag order

In addition to the voice of the intelligence chief, members of the US Congress also intervened in the matter. A bipartisan letter to a British court calling for the revocation of the gag order (gag order) and criticizing the ban as infringing on the free speech of American companies and obstructing congressional oversight of national security affairs.

The outcome of this lawsuit in the future will not only affect whether Pinguo will make concessions to the government, but also become a model for other countries to follow. If the UK can successfully put pressure on Apple, whether other governments will follow suit will become a key turning point in the security of global users' personal data.

This article in the UK requires Apple to provide user data! The U.S. government's outrage triggered the capital security crisis first appeared in Chain News ABMedia.