The UK Just Went Orwell 1984 – And Apple Might Be Its First Victim

[123Stodg]

Here we go again, another government demanding backdoor access to our encrypted data, bunch of back door fiends, all in the name of “security.”
 

This time, it’s the UK government trying to force Apple to compromise iCloud encryption under the guise of the Investigatory Powers Act. If Apple folds to this demand, it won’t just be UK users at risk, it will be everyone with any personal data on iCloud, worldwide.

 

Do those plonkers in the UK government really think people will sit back and accept this or that Apple will just roll over with no questions asked? The moment Apple allows a backdoor into the iCloud to anyone, the entire premise of Apple’s security-first approach collapses.
 

Users aren’t stupid. They’ll pull their data, disable cloud backups, and some might even ditch Apple entirely for something that doesn’t sell them out. It would be a black swan event for Apple.
 

Apple built its brand on privacy, caving to the demands now from that small, pesky island across the channel from France, would destroy trust and send customers running to alternative solutions like decentralized storage or more privacy-focused devices.

 

And let’s not pretend this is just about the UK. If Apple sets this precedent, the US, EU, China, and every other government will demand the same access. Once the encryption is weakened, it’s only a matter of time before hackers exploit the same vulnerabilities, leaving everyone’s data exposed.

 

This is straight out of the NSA's old playbook from the Bush and Obama eras, when mass data collection took off under the Patriot Act. The government began pulling vast amounts of personal user data from Google and other tech companies, a practice later exposed by Edward Snowden.

 

The UK is now heading down the same dystopian path, demanding absolute surveillance powers at the expense of individual privacy. And as usual, it’s being justified under the guise of “national security.” We’ve seen where this road leads; mass surveillance, abuses of power, and a world where private conversations are anything but private.

 

Apple needs to fight this. If they don’t, they’re finished as a company that values user security. And if the UK government succeeds in bullying them into compliance, what’s stopping them from demanding even more control over our data in the future?

 

---

 

If you're not familiar with what I'm talking about, you can see these links below:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/07/uk-confronts-apple-with-demand-for-cloud-backdoor-to-users-encrypted-data
 

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/uk-government-reportedly-demands-backdoor-access-your-apple-icloud-account/

[GammaGlobulin]

I am familiar with what you are speaking of, and your concerns.

 

However, in all honesty, I would be far more concerned with the UK going....

Clockwork Orange, rather than going "Orwell-1984".

 

I also am familiar with the APPLE ad/commercial you are alluding to, which everyone thought magnificent.

I did not like it, a bit.

 

The ad you are alluding to is this one:

 

 

JOBS and APPLE:  An authoritarian company run by a control freak, even back then in 1984. And, nothing has changed much, even now in 2025. In fact, APPLE is even more authoritarian than it ever was.  I hate Apple products, 

 

And, anyone using Apple products is a fool, or just someone who could not care less about being FREE....

 

Apple users have nothing to complain about, after making their decision to choose Apple for computers, phones, or anything else....

 

What about those tags that you love so much????

 

 

When someone shoots himself in the foot...then...

It's bound to hurt a bit.

So...why complain?

 

 

[quake]

This guy has some interesting views on tech use by governments and companies.

plenty of clips to watch.

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/BraxMe

 

 

[henryford1958]

People are crazy to use the Cloud anyway, might as well make all your data available.

[OneMoreFarang]

Does anybody believe the NSA has not already full access to all the data? 

[OneMoreFarang]

Just now, henryford1958 said:

People are crazy to use the Cloud anyway, might as well make all your data available.

 

I think cloud storage is convenient.

Would I save anything sensitive in the cloud? No.

[Gsxrnz]

Welcome to Airstrip One, where 2+2 doesn't necessarily equal 4, and in fact may never equal 4. 

[bokningar]

44 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

People are crazy to use the Cloud anyway, might as well make all your data available.

Agree I never use any cloud stuff. USB drives isn't expensive any more.

[Hummin]

13 minutes ago, bokningar said:

Agree I never use any cloud stuff. USB drives isn't expensive any more.

Live off grid in Alaska or Canada then? Thats the only way to escape the future on a place so distant and far from civilation and with enough recources to manage to survive as long you are healthy. 

 

The rest of us leaves footprints and marks everywhere we go 24/7. As long the democrazy survives it is sustainable, but as quick you have to many despots and dictators, you know where it will end. Most likely we are heading that way much faster than we thought, and for the wrong reasons

[ElwoodP]

Offensive post removed.

[connda]

"First Victim?"

[impulse]

[wombat]

On 2/10/2025 at 6:58 AM, henryford1958 said:

People are crazy to use the Cloud anyway, might as well make all your data available.

I regularly offer my data for sale.

No one has ever msgd me wanting to buy it.

My conclusion is my life really is that boring.

[wombat]

23 hours ago, Hummin said:

Live off grid in Alaska or Canada then?  

I've seen some of those family that live in the snow shows...reinforces I'm a palm tree and pina colada type of guy every time.

[newbee2022]

A lot of fuss about nothing 🤣

[Thingamabob]

Britain. the country of my birth, is indeed descending into an Orwellian nightmare. Today's government personifies, to quote the great author, '..all people are equal , but some are more equal than others..'.

[Hummin]

58 minutes ago, wombat said:

I've seen some of those family that live in the snow shows...reinforces I'm a palm tree and pina colada type of guy every time.

Can't live of sand, coconuts or fish only, and those cold areas is the only places you can survive and be healthy, especially if the heat continues 

 

Canada is rich of resources and big enough to manage to stay off grid

[ardsong]

I wonder why the UK only targets iCloud? Or would it be that UK has obtained already access to Microsoft cloud, Amazone Cloud, Google cloud, and ????cloud. Most likely that is why UK does not have to ask the other Clouds!

[Purdey]

It is hard to catch terrorists. They use Telegraph and other apps to make themselves anonymous. Then they also use iPhones. People cry, "Why aren't the security services protecting us?"

"We can't follow them due to the first class encryption Apple uses." Is a blanket reply. 

I don't believe Apple is the only reason that security services can't spy on terrorists but the public should not have to allow their phones to be read. 

[Dexxter]

21 hours ago, impulse said:

I can still hear their "laugh" in my head.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, Dexxter said:

I can still hear their "laugh" in my head.

 

Back door reminded me of Cornholio.

 

[Sigmund]

I have never, never used any Cloud rubbish to store data. Nothing like the good old usb key and it even does the job for the iphone backps.

[ukrules]

17 hours ago, ardsong said:

I wonder why the UK only targets iCloud? Or would it be that UK has obtained already access to Microsoft cloud, Amazone Cloud, Google cloud, and ????cloud. Most likely that is why UK does not have to ask the other Clouds!

 

Bullseye. They only target iCloud because the others already do what they want.

[ukrules]

On 2/10/2025 at 2:43 AM, 123Stodg said:

This is straight out of the NSA's old playbook from the Bush and Obama eras, when mass data collection took off under the Patriot Act. The government began pulling vast amounts of personal user data from Google and other tech companies, a practice later exposed by Edward Snowden.

 

The UK is now heading down the same dystopian path

 

You know the NSA outsourced this work to the UK don't you?

It's no coincidence the UK is demanding this, why do you think they're demanding this?

I am almost certain that this entire thing is driven by the US, the best customer GCHQ ever had. They've been trying to get this kind of thing in for years.

They can't do it in the US but it can be done in the UK which is conveniently one of the '5 eyes'.

 

[Photoguy21]

Apple will not allow it and the US government will support them in their rejection.

[billd766]

On 2/10/2025 at 2:43 AM, 123Stodg said:

Here we go again, another government demanding backdoor access to our encrypted data, bunch of back door fiends, all in the name of “security.”
 

This time, it’s the UK government trying to force Apple to compromise iCloud encryption under the guise of the Investigatory Powers Act. If Apple folds to this demand, it won’t just be UK users at risk, it will be everyone with any personal data on iCloud, worldwide.

 

Do those plonkers in the UK government really think people will sit back and accept this or that Apple will just roll over with no questions asked? The moment Apple allows a backdoor into the iCloud to anyone, the entire premise of Apple’s security-first approach collapses.
 

Users aren’t stupid. They’ll pull their data, disable cloud backups, and some might even ditch Apple entirely for something that doesn’t sell them out. It would be a black swan event for Apple.
 

Apple built its brand on privacy, caving to the demands now from that small, pesky island across the channel from France, would destroy trust and send customers running to alternative solutions like decentralized storage or more privacy-focused devices.

 

And let’s not pretend this is just about the UK. If Apple sets this precedent, the US, EU, China, and every other government will demand the same access. Once the encryption is weakened, it’s only a matter of time before hackers exploit the same vulnerabilities, leaving everyone’s data exposed.

 

This is straight out of the NSA's old playbook from the Bush and Obama eras, when mass data collection took off under the Patriot Act. The government began pulling vast amounts of personal user data from Google and other tech companies, a practice later exposed by Edward Snowden.

 

The UK is now heading down the same dystopian path, demanding absolute surveillance powers at the expense of individual privacy. And as usual, it’s being justified under the guise of “national security.” We’ve seen where this road leads; mass surveillance, abuses of power, and a world where private conversations are anything but private.

 

Apple needs to fight this. If they don’t, they’re finished as a company that values user security. And if the UK government succeeds in bullying them into compliance, what’s stopping them from demanding even more control over our data in the future?

 

---

 

If you're not familiar with what I'm talking about, you can see these links below:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/07/uk-confronts-apple-with-demand-for-cloud-backdoor-to-users-encrypted-data
 

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/uk-government-reportedly-demands-backdoor-access-your-apple-icloud-account/

So what is to be afraid of? If you have nothing to hide, why all the fuss?

[BangkokReady]

On 2/10/2025 at 6:58 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Does anybody believe the NSA has not already full access to all the data? 

 

People should be more worried about how you can have a conversation in earshot of your phone and have an advert related to what you were talking about pop up on YouTube later.

[Mike_Hunt]

Isn't this the same UK that arrests people for "offensive" social media posts?