After a global backdoor push sparked a US–UK clash, Britain is now demanding Apple create access only to British users’ encrypted cloud backups. Targeting domestic users lets governments assert control while pressuring platforms to strip or geofence security features locally. The result is a two‑tier privacy regime that fragments services by nationality.
— This signals a governance model for breaking encryption through jurisdictional carve‑outs, accelerating a splinternet of uneven security and new diplomatic conflicts.
EditorDavid
2025.10.12
55% relevant
Both pieces show states shaping encryption architecture: the earlier idea describes jurisdiction‑specific access mandates; this article alleges NSA pressure to standardize non‑hybrid PQ crypto, reducing fallback protections. In each, government influence constrains cryptographic design choices.
BeauHD
2025.10.04
50% relevant
By deploying SPQR to make end‑to‑end chats quantum‑resistant, Signal is moving the encryption baseline in the opposite direction of state efforts to carve local access exceptions (e.g., UK push for citizen‑scoped backdoors). The upgrade raises the technical bar against future decryption even if governments demand targeted access.
msmash
2025.10.01
100% relevant
UK Home Office’s September TCN ordering Apple to enable access to encrypted iCloud backups for British users; Apple’s withdrawal of Advanced Data Protection in the UK.