Apple has confirmed it has filed a new legal complaint against the UK government, escalating an ongoing dispute over official requests for access to encrypted user data protected by the company’s security systems.
The case has been lodged with the tribunal responsible for hearing objections relating to the use of the UK’s covert surveillance powers. Apple has not disclosed the specific details of the latest complaint, although reports have suggested it is linked to a renewed Home Office request seeking access to highly encrypted customer information.
At the centre of the dispute is Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service, an optional security feature that provides end-to-end encryption for data stored in iCloud, including device backups, photos, files, voice memos and other personal information. Because the system uses end-to-end encryption, Apple says it cannot access the protected data itself and therefore cannot provide it to governments or law enforcement agencies.
The UK government declined to comment on the legal proceedings or what it described as operational matters. In a statement, it said the country supports strong encryption and privacy protections but also believes law enforcement authorities should be able to access communications when it is necessary and proportionate to combat terrorism, serious crime and child sexual abuse.
Apple referred to an earlier statement issued after its initial legal challenge, in which the company expressed disappointment that it could no longer offer Advanced Data Protection to new UK users. Apple withdrew the feature from UK iCloud accounts in February 2025 following the government’s demands.
The company has repeatedly maintained that it has never created a backdoor or master key for any of its products or services and has no intention of doing so. Since the feature was withdrawn, UK iPhone users have been unable to activate Advanced Data Protection, with the settings page displaying a notice confirming the service is unavailable.
The government’s requests were issued under the Investigatory Powers Act, legislation that allows ministers to serve confidential technical capability notices requiring technology companies to assist security agencies in accessing customer data under certain legal conditions. Such notices must receive approval from both the Secretary of State and an independent Judicial Commissioner before taking effect.
An earlier attempt by the government to keep legal proceedings surrounding its first notice to Apple confidential was unsuccessful. That notice was later withdrawn after objections from US lawmakers concerned about the possible impact on American citizens’ data. A revised request issued in October reportedly excluded US users.
Privacy campaign groups welcomed Apple’s latest legal action. Privacy International said any challenge to secret government orders seeking access to encrypted cloud storage would be significant for protecting digital privacy and security. Civil liberties organisation Liberty also described the case as having major implications for future privacy rights, arguing that end-to-end encryption safeguards sensitive information such as financial records, medical data and private communications.
Investigatory Powers Commissioner Sir Brian Leveson has previously said the term “backdoor” can be misleading. He noted that any technical capability notice must satisfy legal tests of necessity and proportionality, while individual requests for access to data remain subject to separate authorisation and independent oversight under the law.
