WhatsApp announced today it will support Apple's legal challenge against UK government demands for backdoor access to encrypted communications, escalating a privacy battle that has drawn international criticism and prompted warnings about global cybersecurity.
The Meta-owned messaging platform warned that the case "could set a dangerous precedent" by encouraging other governments to demand access to encrypted communications, according to WhatsApp boss Will Cathcart, who spoke to the BBC. "WhatsApp would challenge any law or government request that seeks to weaken the encryption of our services," Cathcart said.
Apple launched its legal action after receiving a secret government notice earlier this year demanding backdoor access to encrypted iCloud data worldwide1. The UK used its Investigatory Powers Act to require Apple to compromise its Advanced Data Protection feature, which encrypts user photos, notes, messages, and device backups1.
Rather than comply with the Technical Capability Notice issued by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in late 2024, Apple withdrew the encryption feature from UK users entirely in February12. The company maintains that creating backdoors would compromise security for all users, making them vulnerable to malicious actors1.
With Advanced Data Protection activated, Apple retains no encryption keys, meaning only users or nominated recovery contacts can decrypt their data2. If authorities serve Apple with a warrant targeting an ADP user's account, Apple can honestly respond that it lacks the technical capability to execute the warrant2.
The encryption controversy has drawn sharp criticism from American politicians, with some calling it a "dangerous attack on US cybersecurity"1. Tulsi Gabbard, director of US National Intelligence, described the UK's demands as an "egregious violation" of US citizens' privacy1.
US Representative Jamie Raskin warned the order would expose America to threats from cyber criminals and foreign states, including espionage, consumer fraud and ransomware2. "Backdoors to encrypted technology are not capable only of letting good guys in while keeping the bad guys out," Raskin said2.
A UK court rejected the government's attempt to keep details of Apple's legal challenge secret, with judges ruling that conducting hearings entirely in private would be "truly extraordinary"1.
The Home Office has defended its position, saying the government's "first priority" is keeping people safe while protecting privacy1. Officials argue the powers help investigate serious crimes including terrorism and child abuse1.
Privacy International and Liberty have initiated their own legal challenge against the government's order, contending that mandating backdoors infringes upon fundamental rights to privacy and free expression23.
