Reports from the Washington Post suggest that the UK government has compelled Apple to grant broad access to encrypted user data on its data cloud, marking an unprecedented move. Instead of requesting mere assistance for accessing a specific account, a technical capability notice mandates blanket access, sources revealed. While governments commonly seek user data from tech firms to solve criminal cases, the Post notes that such an extensive demand lacks precedent in major democracies. UK's interior ministry and Apple refrained from commenting on this matter. Under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, the UK issues these notices which consolidate powers related to intercepting and obtaining communications. Security officials argue that data encryption hampers crime prevention efforts, whereas tech companies emphasize users' privacy rights. Apple's encryption feature limits access to data even by Apple itself, with Advanced Data Protection being an option for a select few users. As the UK pondered updates to the 2016 law last year to address evolving technologies and cyber threats, Apple informed parliament that it would not compromise its products with a back door and might retract the advanced safeguard in Britain. Additionally, the UK's Online Safety Act of 2023, aimed at combating child sexual abuse material, has drawn criticism from tech giants like Meta's WhatsApp and Signal, who claim it undermines their messaging services. Notably, in 2016, Apple resisted a U.S. order to unlock an encrypted iPhone linked to a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California.