Blog Details
John Perrino | 25 July 2025
A UK Government Order Threatens the Privacy and Security of All Internet Users
Earlier this year, the United Kingdom government ordered Apple to provide access to encrypted data in the company’s cloud storage service, iCloud. In response, Apple removed its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) system for users in the country, removing the option to store data using end-to-end encryption, and setting a dangerous precedent of privacy violation.
The Internet Society jointly filed a request in a UK court on Wednesday to provide expert evidence on privacy and security threats from secret government orders that require companies to change services to provide user data to law enforcement.
The case challenges the order, known as a Technical Capability Notice, requiring Apple to change certain end-to-end encrypted iCloud backups. The Internet Society and Internet Society UK England Chapter are joined by five other applicants, including the Open Rights Group, encrypted communications services, and industry representatives. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the court that investigates government surveillance requests, will consider the application to intervene
Another broader case brought by NGOs challenging the UK regulation allowing these orders may be combined with Apple’s challenge. The application requests to provide independent, expert evidence on the privacy and security implications in both cases.
This is a crucial legal case for the Internet Society’s mission to protect and promote people’s online privacy and security. The UK government’s demand jeopardizes the security and privacy of millions globally, undermines the UK tech sector, and sets a dangerous precedent for cybersecurity.
Strong encryption is critical for safeguarding citizens, protecting the digital economy, and ensuring national security. Mandating backdoors undermines these principles and threatens the privacy and security of users worldwide, including vulnerable groups.
Previously, the Global Encryption Coalition led a joint letter to the UK government from more than 200 civil society organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts calling on the UK government to rescind the order for Apple to create a backdoor for government access to end-to-end encrypted services.
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal will now consider our request to provide facts and arguments to inform and influence the case. The Financial Times reports that the UK government is seriously considering withdrawing the order against Apple following strong advocacy from civil society, industry, and governments. In the meantime, the case will continue to be heard in the court.
Internet Society | 22 July 2025
How YOU Run the Internet
Without you, there is no Internet. The Internet is so much more than just devices connecting to each other; it’s a place for all of us to come together to ...
Without you, there is no Internet. The Internet is so much more than just devices connecting to each other; it’s a place for all of us to come together to share information, experiences, and ideas. Everyone who uses the Internet has made it into what it is today through creativity, advocacy, insights, connections—the list is as long as everything we have ever shared online!
Over the past six weeks, we have dug into the different groups that help run the Internet, their unique roles in the Internet ecosystem, and some of their key players. But to make change and do their jobs the best they can, all of these groups rely on Internet users. Meaning you. How would standard setters know which issues need fixing without your input? How would innovators know what to create without users expressing what they need? How would educators share their knowledge without an audience? How would nonprofits that rely on online volunteers be able to operate? The power of users transcends industry, category, and group. You are needed everywhere!
Civil society is a diverse community of not-for-profit organizations that primarily work in the public interest, often advocating for specific groups and communities. In general, it is a by-the-people, for-the-people approach
to tackling issues and making positive social change.
Internet civil society groups include grassroots movements, media, youth, Indigenous peoples, thinktanks, education and research groups, and more. The Internet Society is an example of a civil society organization
as well—we advocate for a safe, globally connected, resilient Internet.
Civil society is a crucial part of the Internet ecosystem, as it represents the people and builds avenues for everyday users to get involved in the Internet governance community.
We couldn’t be prouder of our global community of Internet Society chapters, individual members, organization members, special interest groups, and staff.
Anyone can join the Internet Society, and what groups you join and how involved you are is up to you. With no barriers to entry, everyone has a voice in our community.
Together with our global community of volunteers—people just like you! —we have connected communities to the Internet, funded critical Internet infrastructure, defended the Internet against legislative threats, and
trained more than 140,000 learners.
When you use the Internet, there are endless possibilities at your fingertips. You can connect a community to the Internet, take online courses and learn a new skill, earn money as a remote worker, or address health concerns with a doctor at a telehealth appointment, just to name a few. This is why everyone deserves the opportunity to be an Internet user, and why we have made it our mission to create an Internet for everyone.
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