Technology & Innovation

WhatsApp supports Apple in its legal class with the UK on user data


Getty Images The WhatsApp application is displayed on the phone screenGety pictures

WhatsApp BBC told her that it supports Apple in its legal battle against the UK Ministry of Interior due to the privacy of user data.

The correspondence coach, Will Kathkart, said that the issue “can put a dangerous precedent” by “encouraging other countries” to seek to break the encryption, which is the way that technology companies keep their own users data.

Apple went to the courts after receiving a notice from the Ministry of Interior earlier this year, calling for the right to reach the data of its international customers if necessary in the interest of national security.

This and other critics of the government’s position say that the request is harmful to the privacy of millions of users.

BBC called from the Ministry of Interior to comment.

He previously refused to comment directly on the Apple case.

But it told the BBC that the “first priority” of the government is “preserving the safety of people” and the United Kingdom 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.”

An embarrassing row

WhatsApp applied for evidence to the court that hears Apple’s attempt to cancel the Ministry of Interior’s request.

“WhatsApp will challenge any request or government seeking to weaken our services and will continue to defend people’s right to a private conversation online,” said Mr. Kathkart.

This intervention by the deadly platform is a great escalation, while it was already a very big and embarrassing conflict between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Apple row erupted with the UK government in February, when the ministers appeared looking for the right to be able to access the information guaranteed by its advanced data protection system (ADP).

The argument intensified in the weeks that followed, with Apple withdrawn for the first time ADP in the UK, then Take legal measures Against the Ministry of Interior.

also Anger Among the American politicians, with some saying that it was a “serious attack on US cybersecurity” and urged the US government to rethink the intelligence participation arrangements with the United Kingdom if the notice was not withdrawn.

Tolsi Gabbard, Director of US National Intelligence, Describe As a “terrible violation” of the privacy of American citizens.

Civil freedom groups also attacked the UK government, saying what was required of the effects of privacy and security on people all over the world.

The Organization Rights Group welcomed the open campaign seeking to participate in the case.

“The intervention of WhatsApp indicates the expansion of anxiety over the threat of privacy and security,” said Jim Keelk, her CEO.

He added, “It is important for the court to hear from the largest possible number of companies and institutions in order to understand the full impact of what the Ministry of Interior tries to do.”

Privacy against national security

The ADP is applied from Apple to the depletion (E2e) to files such as images and notes stored on iCloud, which means that the user has only the “key” required to display it.

The same technology protects a number of messaging services, including WhatsApp.

This makes them very safe, but it is a problem for law enforcement agencies.

They can ask to see data with low levels of protection – if they have a judicial matter – but technology companies currently do not have a way to provide access to E2e files, because there is no such mechanism currently.

Technology companies traditionally resisted the creation of such a mechanism not only because they say they will showcase the privacy of users, but because there will be no way to prevent them from the end by criminals.

In 2023, WhatsApp said he would do Instead it is blocked as a service From weakening E2e.

When she pulled the Apple ADP in the UK, she said she did not want to create the “back door” that “bad actors” could benefit from.

What increases the complexity of the argument is that the Ministry of Interior has submitted its request to Apple through what is known as the Technical Power notice (TCN), which is a secret matter under the law

The Apple nor the house office has not confirmed its existence. WhatsApp says he hasn’t received TCN.

When the court came to the court, government lawyers argued that the case should not be filed in public places in any way for national security reasons.

However, in April, A judge agreed with There are a number of news organizations, including the BBC, and said some details should be public.

“It was a truly unusual step to hold a completely secret hearing without any general disclosure of the fact that a hearing was its occurrence,” he said.

At that time, the government refused to comment on the procedures, but she said: “The United Kingdom has strong guarantees and independent supervision to protect privacy and privacy is only affected on an exceptional basis, in relation to the most dangerous crimes and only when it is necessary and is appropriate to do so.”

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