The secret iCloud secret storage door in the United Kingdom is a global “emergency”, let’s say criticism

In his last attempt To erode strong encryption protections, the The British government would have secretly ordered Apple to build a stolen door This would allow British security managers to access the encrypted cloud storage data from Apple customers all over the world.

The Secret Ordinance – issued under the UK inquiry powers (known as Charter Snoopers) – aims to undermine an Apple Opt -in functionality that provides End -to -end stretch (E2EE) For iCloud backups, called advanced data protection. The encrypted backup function only allows Apple customers to access the information of their device stored on iCloud – not even Apple can access it.

While the British government has refused to comment on Techcrunch on the report, British officials have long -argued The fact that E2EE makes it more difficult to collect digital evidence for criminal proceedings and to collect information for national security.

Apple’s encrypted backup function, once activated, closes a escape that the police have Used to access cloud stored data. These data were also impossible to win on most modern iPhones that have the encryption of activated devices.

The Washington Post, which first reported the storyApple said that Apple will probably stop offering the iCloud encryption function to Users of the United Kingdom in response to secret order, rather than breaking user encryption on a global scale.

Apple previously warned The fact that its encrypted, Facetime and Imessage communication services could be threatened in the United Kingdom, responding to plans aimed at increasing government surveillance powers.

Global ramifications

If Apple has stripped its British customers of its advanced iCloud encryption, the fallout would not stop at the borders of the country.

Rebecca Vincent, who directs the civil and civil campaign group Liberties Big Brother Watch, warned that The “draconian” order of the British government would not make citizens saferBut “would rather erode the fundamental rights and civil freedoms of the whole population”.

Although it is not yet clear how the British order works in practice – deleting the advanced protection of the data would only make the cloud data of British citizens available to the police – the news of the Order has aroused concerns that the security of millions of owners of Apple devices worldwide could be weakened.

Defenders of security and privacy also claim that the United Kingdom could create a dangerous world precedent that authoritarian regimes and cybercriminals will be impatient to exploit – any stolen door developed for the use of government would inevitably be exploited by pirates and other governments.

Thorin Klosowski, a private life activist to found her Foundation of Frontier based in the United States, also warned in a blog article that the UK’s requests will have global ramifications who make secret order a “emergency for all of us”. James Baker in the open rights group said last week That the plans are “frightening … and would make everyone less sure”.

A security lesson not learned

The training effect that the British government’s order could have on citizens around the world aroused criticism in the midst of fears of being able to put the United Kingdom in contradiction with some of its closest allies.

The news comes only a few weeks after the US security authorities have urged the Americans To use encrypted messaging applications To prevent their communications from intercepting opponent nations. The opinion followed Reports of a furtive hacking campaign of several years Through the Chinese government’s spies aimed at hacking critical American infrastructure, as well as on telephone and internet giants.

The Association of the IT and Communications Industry, a group of American technology industry which represents the IT and telecommunications industries, said the hacks Made by the so-called “Typhon” group of Chinese back pirates It is clear that “end -to -end encryption can be the only backup between the sensitive personal and commercial data of the Americans and foreign opponents”.

“Decisions concerning the privacy and security of the Americans should be taken in America, in an open and transparent manner, and not by secret orders from abroad, which requires keys under doors,” said the CCIA.

Chris Mohr, president of the association of software and information based in the United States, also has issued a similar warningcalling for the British order “both badly advised and dangerous”.

“In particular in the wake of Salt Typhoon, we need policies to make the information more (no less) secure,” said Mohr, referring to the group supported by China, which targeted phone companies. “We call the Trump administration and the US Congress to take a firm position against this disturbing development.”

Chinese hacks that targeted the phone and internet giants – Including AT&T and Verizon – is the most recent example of the reason why the British government stolen demands on Apple are imperfect.

Salt Typhoon has carried out telecommunications offenses, supposed to be one of the greatest hacks in recent history, by Abuse a legally mandated stolen door required by telecommunications companies To give the police and intelligence agencies to access their customers on request.

“The lesson will be repeated until it is learned: there is no stolen door which leaves only good and prevents the bad guys,” according to to the electronic frontier foundation. “It’s time for all of us to recognize this and take action to ensure real security and confidentiality for all of us.”