Category: Cyber Security | Published: 2025-11-04
The New Order
According to reports in the Financial Times, the Home Office served Apple with a new Technical Capability Notice (TCN) in early September requesting a mechanism to access encrypted cloud backups for UK citizens. TCNs are formal notices issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, a law that grants UK authorities the power to compel technology companies to make technical modifications to support lawful access to data.
The September notice reportedly differs from an earlier version issued in January by limiting the demand to British users only. The original order had requested access to encrypted iCloud data for users globally. At the time, that broader approach prompted some diplomatic and legal pushback, particularly from the United States.
How This One Differs From January’s Demand