Apple has strongly criticized the UK government's move to require pre-approval of new security features introduced by technology companies. Proposed amendments to the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016 suggest that if the UK Home Office rejects an update, it cannot be released in any other country without public notification. The government justifies these changes as necessary to balance technological innovation and private communications with public safety.
The Home Office expressed support for privacy-focused technology but emphasized the need to prioritize national security. A government spokesperson stated that decisions regarding lawful access to protect the country from threats must be made by democratic authorities and approved by Parliament. The proposed amendments are set to be debated in the House of Lords.
Apple condemned the proposed changes, labeling them as an "unprecedented overreach" by the UK government. The tech giant expressed deep concerns about the potential risks to user privacy and security. Apple argued that if enacted, the amendments could allow the UK to globally veto new user protections, hindering the company from offering enhanced security measures to customers.
The existing Investigatory Powers Act, criticized as a "snoopers charter," has faced opposition from Apple in the past. In July 2023, Apple threatened to withdraw services like FaceTime and iMessage from the UK to maintain future security standards. However, the proposed amendments extend beyond specific services to encompass all Apple products.
Civil liberties groups, including Big Brother Watch, Liberty, Open Rights Group, and Privacy International, jointly opposed the bill in January. They expressed concerns that the changes could compel technology companies to inform the government of any plans to enhance security or privacy measures, effectively turning private companies into tools of surveillance and undermining device and internet security.
These proposed amendments follow a review of existing legislation and encompass updates related to data collection by intelligence agencies and the use of internet connection records. The contentious debate over balancing privacy, security, and technological innovation is set to unfold in the House of Lords.