Apple Threatens To Remove iMessage & Facetime From UK Over Controversial Bill

[RAMROD 116,997]

Apple is so perturbed by a United Kingdom surveillance bill that its threatening to flat-out remove iMessage and FaceTime in the U.K. instead of complying with the proposed legislation. 

The U.K. government is looking to update the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, the law that governs how security agencies can interfere with privacy to obtain investigatory information. BBC News reported that Apple has said it would remove some services — such as uber-popular communication features like iMessage and FaceTime — if the proposal becomes law, rather than weaken the security of their offerings. 

Apple has said that it opposes other provisions of the proposed legislation, including having to the tell the U.K,'s Home Office of any product security features before they're released and having to comply with changes like providing a backdoor to end-to-end encryption. Such provisions, Apple argued, purposefully weaken security for its customers.

In a submission to the government, The Guardian reported, Apple wrote that the bill would "make the Home Office the de facto global arbiter of what level of data security and encryption are permissible." The Home Office is the part of the United Kingdom's government responsible for security, immigration, and other policies.

The promise to cut FaceTime and iMessage is a big threat, setting up the possibility of a major battle between the government and the tech giant. Apple is sending a clear message that it is unwilling to stop end-to-end encryption at the request of a government.

The proposed legislation is still under an eight-week consultation period, so nothing is official yet. Other tech companies, such as the encrypted messaging app Signal, have also threatened to walk should these news rules be approved.

If Apple follows through with their threat, it'll almost certainly anger U.K. iPhone users. Imagine having an iPhone without Facetime or iMessage. It's like not having an iPhone at all.

 

https://mashable.com/article/apple-facetime-imessage-uk-surveillance-bill

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/20/uk-surveillance-law-changes-could-force-apple-to-withdraw-security-features

 

Apple usually would try their best to work with governments. (I.E. the upcoming Apple 15 rumored to get usb C after the EU ordered for universal cable)

But since it's sensible for them to defy this one, I believe Apple will not be the only one when this bill is passed 

[ProfessionalClown 10,647]

I mean I understand. Privacy and security is definitely well regarded for apple (in most cases) and they take pride it in. 

[Economy 52,838]

Curious to see who ppl on this thread will defend and side with...

 

Ppl hate Corporations but they also hate the UK Government...

 

Who do ppl hate more?

[Guest]

I support Apple for taking that stance against people who truly do not understand technology thinking that they do.

[Leblanc 2,494]

As much as I hate Apple, I'm totally with them on this one and I'd be on this side regardless of who is in power. It could be my ideal candidate as PM and I'd still not want this precedent to occur.

[Opulence 1,380]

I think Apple would look more respectable removing these services vs having consumer privacy at threat.

To be honest I doubt it will be missed anyway most people message and call through WhatsApp / IG now anyway 

[Chromatography 10,186]

1 hour ago, Economy said:

Curious to see who ppl on this thread will defend and side with...

 

Ppl hate Corporations but they also hate the UK Government...

 

Who do ppl hate more?

apple at least tries to have standards for privacy.

[GregJA 5,530]

Good on Apple! 

[weed 78,872]

get her, Jade! What a gag if iMessage and FT were removed.

[gabeoz 7,915]

As much as I/us want to go against these global megacorps. Apple has made it clear over the past several years that they do have strict standards of personal privacy. I would fully support this. 

[SimonBaetens 9,470]

I always use WhatsApp for texting anyways

[bionic 50,111]

5 minutes ago, SimonBaetens said:

I always use WhatsApp for texting anyways

WhatsApp is also considering removing service for the same reasons

[bpmMonkey 7,715]

Cool. I feel like no one uses iMessages in Europe anyway lol 

[AsleepOnTheCeiling 6,939]

2 hours ago, bionic said:

WhatsApp is also considering removing service for the same reasons

Everyone realizing WhatsApp is facing the same issue as Apple because it revolves around end to end encryption