Liberty responds to Apple’s new legal challenge against UK Government

TCNs are secret orders issued by the Home Office under the Investigatory Powers Act compelling a given company to make changes to its services so that the UK can use its investigatory powers. For example, allowing the Government to demand a ‘back door’ to people’s encrypted data including bank details, health records, photographs and private conversations.

Last year, it was reported that Apple was being ordered to provide intelligence services and law enforcement with the capability to access encrypted data of Apple users worldwide. Liberty and Privacy International brought forward legal action alongside Apple challenging the lawfulness of the TCN regime.

In October last year, Apple’s first challenge was dismissed. Given this second challenge by Apple, a case management hearing to consider how the claims will be managed has been scheduled for next month.

Hugely important case

In response, Ruth Ehrlich (director of external relations at Liberty) explained: “This is a hugely important case that will have far-reaching implications for the public’s privacy rights well into the future.”

Ehrlich continued: “End-to-end encryption is an essential security tool that protects our personal data, including our bank details, health information, private conversations and images.”

Further, Ehrlich asserted: “Opening a back door to all of that information carries a wide range of risks to our personal data. It’s critical that the Government listens to the many concerns being voiced and commits to protect our privacy rights.”