End-to-end encryption

Britain has demanded that Apple provide a back door to allow security officials access to content uploaded on the cloud platform by any Apple phone or computer user world-wide.

The government has used powers under UK surveillance laws to issue a secret order requiring Apple to provide the UK with the ability to access all encrypted material stored by any Apple users on its cloud servers anywhere in the world.

The move will put pressure on Apple to withdraw encrypted cloud storage from users in the UK leaving British consumers without the capability to store files, documents or financial information, in a way that will provide them with strong protection from hacking attacks or accidental breaches by cloud providers.