Apple’s encrypted data case against the UK government has started secretly in the Royal Justice Courts.
The Home Office called for the right to access data from Apple users who have operated advanced data protection (ADP), a tool that prevents anyone other than the user – including the technology giant – from reading their files.
Apple says it is important for privacy – but the UK government says it needs to be able to access data if there are national security risks.
BBC – along with civil freedom groups and some American politicians – argues that the issue should be heard in public places.
But Friday session of the Investigation Forces Court – which hears the matter – was behind the closed doors.
It is not clear whether the stages of the case will be opened later to the public – the BBC has made a written argument that it should be.
In addition to the BBC, journalists from The Guardian, The Telegraph, PA, Bloomberg and Computer Weekly Royal Courts of Justice were not accepted in the courtroom.
Sir James Eddie KC, who previously represented the government in important issues such as the resumption of the nationality of Shima Begum, was seen entering the session.
Thursday , He urged five American politicians from all over the court’s political gap To remove what they call the “secret cloak” surrounding the row – which they say to him great security effects.
A group of civil freedom groups made a similar appeal, saying that preventing the media will be “an insult to the issues of privacy and global security that is being discussed.”
The issue revolves around the national security budget against privacy rights.
ADP is encrypted from finish to finish, which means that no one can access the files that were secured regardless of their owner.
The encrypted services from the other end in the UK include Signal, Meta’s WhatsApp and IMessage from Apple.
In February, the UK government appeared to be able to access the data protected in this way using the powers granted to it under the investigation powers law.
This law allows to force companies to provide information for law enforcement agencies.
Apple responded with ADP withdrawal in the UK and then launching legal measures to challenge the government’s request.
Apple says that approval of what the UK requires will require the creation of the so -called rear paper, which critics say critics say will eventually be exploited by infiltrators.
“As we said many times before, we have never built a rear key or a mastery key for any of our products or services and we will never do so,” Apple says on its website.
The Ministry of Interior told the BBC: “The UK has a long position in protecting our citizens from the worst crimes, such as sexual assault on children and terrorism, at the same time that protects people’s privacy.
“The UK has the effect of strong guarantees and independent purchase to protect privacy and privacy only on an exceptional basis, in relation to the most dangerous crimes and only when it is necessary and is appropriate to do so.”