Two º£½ÇÊÓƵ human rights groups, Liberty and Privacy International, have launched a legal challenge against the government's attempt to force tech giant Apple to compromise its security systems, citing a lack of transparency in the process.
The government had sought to compel Apple to create a "back door" in its security systems, which the company has resisted, as reported by .
The groups have filed a complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), arguing that the demand infringes on users' rights to free speech and privacy.
Caroline Wilson Palow, Privacy International's legal director, stated: "The º£½ÇÊÓƵ's use of a secret order to undermine security for people worldwide is unacceptable and disproportionate."
Apple is also contesting the order, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), and has withdrawn its secure iCloud backup device from the º£½ÇÊÓƵ market after receiving a "technical capability notice" (TCN) in January, which required the company to grant law enforcement access to encrypted iPhone backups.
The human rights groups argue that the secrecy surrounding TCNs prevents accountability and transparency, and that Apple should be allowed to appeal against the order publicly.
Apple has maintained that it has never built a "back door" or "We have never built a back door or master key to any of our products, and we never will" to its products and has no intention of doing so.
Several media outlets have submitted requests to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), pressing for proceedings to be conducted publicly.
The matter has drawn reproach from American legislators who are calling on º£½ÇÊÓƵ officials to adopt greater transparency with their Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) endeavours.
Concerns have been raised that the clandestine nature of British government directives to top US tech companies undermines privacy and freedom of speech rights.
This development comes on the heels of Apple's recent move to disable its intricate data protection services in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ due to a quarrel with authorities regarding encryption and access to user information.
Additionally, tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Meta face the challenge of substantial class action lawsuits lodged against them in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ in recent times.
In a parliamentary session back in February, Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated: "The suggestion that privacy and security are at odds is not correct; we can and must have both".
Come Friday, the tribunal is slated to deliberate over Apple's situation in a private hearing.
