Last month, Reason reported on the United Kingdom's demand for access to any Apple user's digital information stored in its cloud storage service, iCloud. Since those data are end-to-end encrypted by default, this would require the tech giant to create an intentional vulnerability in its security protocols—the likes of which could be exploited by sophisticated criminals or hostile governments.
"If the U.K.'s order stands, Apple will either have to weaken every user's security worldwide or cease operating in Europe altogether," I wrote at the time. "Either move would be disastrous, either to the company's bottom line or to its users' data privacy."
As it turns out, Apple tried to split the difference, but the company is also reportedly taking the U.K. to court over the order.
