Apple threatens to remove FaceTime and iMessage from UK

The government is seeking to update their laws

As revealed by the BBC, the government are looking to update their  Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016.

Part of that includes messaging services to clear any security features with the Home Office before they are then released to customers.

This would let the Home Office demand that all security features are disabled, without telling the public. If passed, this would become immediate.

Many messaging services currently offer end-to-end encryption meaning that messages can only be unscrambled by the devices sending and receiving them.

Both WhatsApp and Signal are two of the platforms to have opposed a clause in the Online Safety Bill which will enable communications regulators to demand that companies install technology to get them to scan for child-abuse material in encrypted messages.

Signal have even threatened to walk away from the UK while Apple are another company who have also refused the proposed plan.

Cyber-security expert Prof Alan Woodward, from Surrey University, said that technology companies were unlikely to agree to the proposals.

"There is a degree of arrogance and ignorance from the government if they believe some of the larger tech companies will comply with the new requirements without a major fight," he said.

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