Apple is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to government agencies. But a new proposal could aim to be “unprecedented” in its reach over the tech giant.
Several changes have been proposed to the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which would require Apple (and any other company) to “notify UK officials of any updates they planned to make that would affect access to the UK government could restrict this data, including any updates that affect users outside the UK,” it said Ars Technica. Basically, if a security or privacy update doesn’t give the UK government unrestricted access to user data, it can veto that update. And this applies to non-UK consumers as well as UK consumers.
Apple has severely criticized the move, noting it would give Britain unprecedented power and allow the country to veto privacy and security updates. In a statement from Apple, the company said: “We are deeply concerned that the proposed changes (to the IPA) now before Parliament will jeopardize the privacy and security of users.”
Despite Apple’s misgivings about the amendments, Britain has defended its proposals, saying they are intended to fight “hostile activities of states” and “terrorists and criminal groups.” Britain also noted that it needed to “apply world-leading safeguards consistent with Britain’s democratic values,” which seems to explain why these proposals also affect non-British countries.
The proposal must first pass the House of Commons before reaching the House of Lords. The House of Lords cannot directly oppose new legislation, but it can certainly delay the process and force compromises before it is passed.
Apple is on the right side of history
It’s an interesting situation currently unfolding between Britain and Apple, one that’s surprisingly complex. On the one hand, it would almost be a given to support restrictive legislation against a company, especially one as rich and powerful as Apple. But it looks like Apple has a point this time.
Britain claims that these changes are purely for the safety of users, not just in Britain but around the world. However, if Britain were to enact these laws, it would mean a significant increase in the control the government has over companies and especially the data collected and stored on average citizens. And Britain isn’t asking Apple to improve its security or control how much data the company collects, but simply wants access to that data for itself.
The BBC reported that several civil liberties groups are siding with Apple, including Big Brother Watch, Liberty, Open Rights Group and Privacy International. A joint statement from a conference between these groups characterized the change as one that “effectively transforms private companies into weapons of the surveillance state and erodes the security of devices and the internet.”
We’ll have to see how this whole situation unfolds.