The U.K. government order demanding access to encrypted iCloud data is being contested by Apple. The closed-door tribunal hearing raised eyebrows about privacy and national security.

Apple challenges UK government who demanded access to customer data in encrypted form and stored in iCloud. A closed-door hearing regarding Apple and the UK government's legal dispute over customer data access was held on Friday in Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

This controversy is primarily regarding a particular technical capability notice which has been issued under the Investigatory Powers Act as an order to Apple to assist law enforcement authorities in acquiring information which is otherwise secured by Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service. However, since ADP runs its files on end-to-end encryption, only the account holder is able to decrypt their files. Last month, the company also withdrew ADP from the UK market. Apple has denied such cooperation stating it will never create backdoors in its products.

The UK government is insisting that it will only seek access to data concerning serious crimes such as terrorism and the sexual abuse of children. Apple and privacy advocates, however, contend that complying will weaken encryption and compromise global user safety.

Lawmakers from both parties in the US have urged the UK to have public proceedings, thus establishing a case for transparency. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced alleging that British officials are negotiating the order with their American counterparts. With the tension rising between privacy rights and national security, the outcome of Apple's legal fight might reverberate across the globe regarding policies on encrypted data.