Tech giant Apple may completely remove its iMessage and FaceTime apps from the UK market. The UK government is demanding the removal of end-to-end encryption from the messaging service. A new online security bill can also be brought regarding this. However, messaging platforms such as Apple, WhatsApp, and Signal have opposed this proposal and there has been talk of shutting down their services.
Apple may shut down iMessage and FaceTime
According to a BBC News report, Apple is considering shutting down its messaging service instead of breaking end-to-end encryption. Apple has submitted a nine-page protest to the planned bill. It has strongly objected to requirements such as backdoors for end-to-end encryption, reporting changes to product security features before they are released, and being forced to disable security features before the appeals process can begin.
Indeed, the UK government wants the ability to scan end-to-end encrypted messages for child-abuse content and other illegal content. They argue that the existing law accommodates this but is technically out of date due to the security provisions of modern technology. This is the reason why governments are demanding messaging companies break end-to-end encryption.
Apple opposing government proposal
Apple said that it would not make such changes for any one country that would weaken the security of all its users. Instead, it would be wise to disable iMessage and FaceTime for UK customers. The proposed legislation is currently undergoing an eight-week consultation period. Apple and other messaging apps are hoping the government will amend the bill in response to the criticism. Let us tell you that Apple had earlier withdrawn its CSAM-scanning feature plan for iCloud Photos after protests from customers and human rights groups.
(pc amarujala)
