Apple Opposes UK Online Safety Bill's Encryption Scanning Powers

Apple has criticised the Online Safety Bill as its powers could potentially compel encrypted messaging services like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Signal to scan messages for child abuse material. Apple isn't alone, as over 80 organisations and technology experts have backed Open Rights Group's letter to Technology Minister Chloe Smith, urging a reconsideration of these powers.

• Apple emphasises the need to protect encryption and suggests amending the bill accordingly.

• The government argues that companies must prevent child abuse on their platforms.

• End-to-end encryption (E2EE) ensures that only the sender and recipient can access message content.

• Law enforcement agencies and child protection charities claim E2EE hinders the identification of child sexual abuse material.

• Apple highlights the importance of end-to-end encryption in safeguarding the privacy of individuals, including journalists, human rights activists, and diplomats.

• The company states that the Online Safety Bill poses a significant threat to this protection and could potentially put UK citizens at greater risk.

• Apple urges the government to amend the bill to preserve strong end-to-end encryption for the benefit of all.

In response, the government asserts that companies should only implement end-to-end encryption if they can simultaneously prevent child sexual abuse on their platforms. 

In 2021, Apple announced plans to scan images on users' iPhones for abusive content before uploading them to iCloud. However, these plans were abandoned due to public backlash. Apple's recent statement clearly indicates its opposition to any measures that compromise end-to-end encryption privacy.

The Online Safety Bill, currently under review in UK Parliament, contains provisions that would empower communications regulator Ofcom to direct platforms to use accredited technology for scanning message contents. However, critics argue that the only way to achieve this would be by installing software that scans messages on devices before they are sent, known as client-side scanning.

There are indications that changes may be made to the bill. However, the details and whether they will address the campaigners' concerns still need to be clarified.

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