Apple’s ‘secret’ customer data case begins as MPs call for public debate
Apple’s encrypted customer data case began behind closed doors on Friday 14 March despite calls by MPs to make it public.
The first session at the Royal Courts of Justice in London played out in secrecy as Apple attempts to overturn the UK government’s controversial decision to demand access to people’s private data.
The Home Office ruled last month that Apple must give up any user data encrypted by Advanced Data Protection (ADP) — a security tool that prevents anyone else from reading the files.
The government claims that accessing the data is in the best interests of national security.
However, experts say the demands go against privacy rights.
In the wake of the ruling, Apple stopped offering its highest level, end-to-end encryption to iPhone, Mac, and iPad owners in the UK.
The tech giant also launched an appeal.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is now hearing Apple’s complaints in court.
However, MPs and civil liberties organisations believe the discussion should be made public.
Several groups, including Big Brother Watch, have stated that there is “significant public interest.”
Open Rights Group executive Jim Killock added: “Holding this Tribunal in secret would be an affront to the global privacy and security issues that are being discussed.”
Several US politicians have also waded in, calling on the court to lift the “cloak of secrecy” so an in-depth public debate and analysis can take place.
For now, Apple will continue its fight away from the limelight.
The company has stated that it won’t back down easily and confirmed that it will “never” build a backdoor or master key for its products or services due to the risk of them being exploited by hackers.