Apple's appeal for public hearing in UK's secret iCloud backdoor order case advocated by rights groups

Apple Faces Legal Challenge Over U.K. Government Order

Privacy rights groups are urging for Apple’s legal challenge against a secret U.K. government order to be heard in public. The order requests Apple to create a backdoor for its end-to-end encrypted iCloud storage service, a move that has raised concerns about privacy rights.

Rights Groups Call for Transparency

The order, revealed through press reports, has led Apple to close its Advanced Data Protection service for U.K. users. However, the order’s implications on users outside the country remain uncertain. Rights groups such as Big Brother Watch, Index on Censorship, and the Open Rights Group are advocating for the case to be heard in public, citing the public interest in understanding the government’s ability to compel a company to compromise user privacy.

Debate Over Public vs. Closed Hearings

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) typically hears surveillance matters behind closed doors. While the IPT has the authority to hold public hearings, the decision to do so is based on considerations of national interest and public safety. In the case of Apple’s challenge, the rights groups argue that public hearings would serve the public interest by providing transparency and accountability in the handling of privacy rights.