Concise Summary:
Privacy International filed a complaint challenging the UK government’s secret use of “Technical Capability Notices” (TCNs) to demand Apple provide access to encrypted data. This follows reports that the UK government requested Apple share user data through its iCloud service, prompting Apple to withdraw Advanced Data Protection for UK users. The company is also pursuing legal action against the TCN. The complaint argues that these TCNs are disproportionate and intrusive, potentially compromising privacy and security globally by enabling the UK government to compel companies like Apple to weaken their services’ encryption. Privacy International joined forces with Liberty and two individuals in filing the complaint alongside the IPT, a body tasked with reviewing surveillance measures, seeking to expose the secret workings of these TCNs and their potential for harm. The lack of transparency surrounding TCNs leaves them shrouded in secrecy, potentially undermining individual rights while facilitating government access to sensitive data.
Key Points:
- Here are five key points extracted from the provided content:.
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- Privacy International filed a complaint against the UK government on March 13, 2025, challenging their use of secret surveillance powers.
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- The complaint focuses on the UK’s alleged abuse of “Technical Capability Notices” (TCNs) to compel companies like Apple to compromise user privacy and security.
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- A month prior, the UK government demanded Apple provide access to encrypted data stored in iCloud, a move that prompted Apple to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection for UK users.
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- Apple is now challenging the UK government’s TCN demand before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT).
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- Technical Capability Notices, which are not publicly disclosed and allow for companies to be compelled to make changes to their services in favor of UK surveillance powers, are a key element of the case.
Archive Links:
12ft: https://12ft.io/https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5547/our-challenge-against-uks-secret-tcn-powers
archive.org: https://web.archive.org/web/https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5547/our-challenge-against-uks-secret-tcn-powers
archive.is: https://archive.is/https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5547/our-challenge-against-uks-secret-tcn-powers
archive.ph: https://archive.ph/https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5547/our-challenge-against-uks-secret-tcn-powers
archive.today: https://archive.today/https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5547/our-challenge-against-uks-secret-tcn-powers
Original Link: https://privacyinternational.org/long-read/5547/our-challenge-against-uks-secret-tcn-powers
User Message: Our challenge against UK's secret TCN powers | Privacy International
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