WhatsApp Moves To Support Apple Against UK Government's Data Access Demands

WhatsApp has applied to submit evidence in Apple's legal battle against the UK Home Office over government demands for access to encrypted user data. The messaging platform's boss Will Cathcart told the BBC the case 'could set a dangerous precedent' by 'emboldening other nations' to seek to break encryption protections.

The confrontation began when Apple received a secret Technical Capability Notice from the Home Office earlier this year demanding the right to access data from its global customers for national security purposes. Apple responded by first pulling its Advanced Data Protection system from the UK, then taking the government to court to overturn the request.

Cathcart said WhatsApp 'would challenge any law or government request that seeks to weaken the encryption of our services.' US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has called the UK's demands an 'egregious violation' of American citizens' privacy rights.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.