FBI concerned about Apple's introduction of end-to-end iCloud data encryption - agency wants 'lawful access on demand'

US government agencies were quick to respond to Apple’s announcement of end-to-end encryption in iCloud. The encryption feature, which the company calls Advanced Data Protection, will prevent Apple or anyone else from accessing encrypted user data. This turn of affairs was not liked by the FBI, which was already suing Apple for providing access to the criminal’s data.

In a statement to The Washington Post, the FBI said it was “deeply concerned about the threat of end-to-end encryption and user-only encryption.” The bureau said that Apple’s end-to-end encryption and advanced data protection makes its job more difficult and that it requests “lawful access on demand.”

«[Сквозное шифрование] hinders our ability to protect the American people from criminal activities ranging from cyberattacks and violence against children to drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism,” the FBI said in a statement. “In an age of cybersecurity and security-on-demand requirements, the FBI and law enforcement partners need legal access on demand.”

Former FBI official Sasha O’Connell also weighed in, telling The New York Times:

“It’s great to see companies prioritize security, but we must remember that there are trade-offs, and one that is often overlooked is the emerging limitation of law enforcement’s access to digital evidence.”

In January 2020, Apple allegedly dropped plans to encrypt user data in ‌iCloud‌ at the urging of the FBI, which was concerned that such a move would interfere with investigations and its intelligence efforts. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal yesterday, Apple’s vice president of software development, Craig Federighi, called these data incorrect. “I’ve heard this rumor, but I don’t know where it came from.”

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In the same interview, Federighi assured that Apple “deeply appreciates and supports the work of law enforcement. We believe that we really have the same mission to keep people safe.”