US lawmakers urge UK spy court to hold Apple ‘backdoor’ secret hearing in public
Five U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ron Wyden, urged the UK Investigatory Powers Tribunal for a public hearing on Apple’s alleged UK government data access order. The order reportedly demands Apple create a 'backdoor' for accessing customer data worldwide, which Apple has resisted by withdrawing an encryption feature. Two civil rights groups, Liberty and Privacy International, support public hearings, alleging the order infringes on constitutionally protected speech. Google is similarly restricted from discussing potential receipt of such demands according to Wyden’s office.