US politicians, civil rights advocates, and the BBC are calling for a High Court hearing on a data privacy dispute between Apple and the UK government to be held in public.
Apple is taking legal action after the Home Office demanded access to customer data protected by its **Advanced Data Protection (ADP)** program. Currently, Apple itself cannot access data stored this way, but the UK government argues it needs access in cases of national security threats.
Reports indicate that the matter will be reviewed in a closed hearing by the **Investigatory Powers Tribunal** at the **High Court** on Friday morning, raising concerns over transparency and privacy rights.
#1US Politicians Call for Transparency in Apple-UK Data Privacy Case
In an open letter, five US politicians from both parties have urged the **Investigatory Powers Tribunal** to lift the "cloak of secrecy" surrounding the dispute, citing major security concerns.
The letter, signed by Senators Ron Wyden and Alex Padilla, along with Representatives Warren Davidson, Andy Biggs, and Zoe Lofgren, emphasizes the need for public scrutiny.
"It is imperative that the UK's technical demands of Apple – and any other US companies – undergo rigorous public analysis and debate," they stated.
The BBC has reached out to Apple for comment, while the Home Office has declined to respond.
#2Civil Liberties Groups Push for Transparency in Apple-UK Privacy Case
A coalition of civil liberties organizations has written to Tribunal President, Lord Justice Singh, urging a public hearing on the dispute.
Big Brother Watch, Index on Censorship, and Open Rights Group argue there is "significant public interest" in understanding the legal basis on which the UK government believes it can force a private company to compromise customer privacy and security.
"Holding this Tribunal in secret would be an affront to global privacy and security debates," said Jim Killock, Executive Director of Open Rights Group, stressing that the issue extends beyond Apple or the UK.
The BBC has also formally requested a public hearing to ensure transparency and accurate reporting on the proceedings.
#3Data Privacy vs. National Security: The Ongoing Debate
Advanced Data Protection (ADP) is controversial due to its end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the data owner can access secured files.
In February, reports surfaced that the UK government was seeking powers under the Investigatory Powers Act to access such encrypted data. The law enables authorities to secretly compel companies to share information with law enforcement.
In response, **Apple withdrew ADP from the UK** and launched **legal action** to challenge the government's demand, escalating tensions between privacy advocates and national security interests.
#4Apple-UK Encryption Dispute Heads to Tribunal Amid Privacy Concerns
The case is set to be reviewed by Lord Justice Singh on Friday, but due to its connection to national security, the hearing is scheduled to be held in private.
In a previous statement, Apple defended its Advanced Data Protection (ADP), stating:
Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before. Apple remains committed to offering our users the highest level of security for their personal data and is hopeful that we will be able to do so in the UK in the future.
Meanwhile, the Home Office reiterated its stance, telling the BBC that the UK aims to balance privacy protection with national security, only impacting privacy in exceptional cases involving serious crimes like child abuse and terrorism, and under strict oversight.
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