Apple is contesting a UK government order to access data in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), as reported by the Financial Times. The order specifically targets iCloud backups that are protected by end-to-end encryption.

According to recent press reports, the UK government issued an order in January requesting Apple to create a backdoor in iCloud’s encrypted backups. This move is based on powers granted to UK officials through national security surveillance legislation, enabling them to compel Apple to provide unencrypted data to law enforcement agencies.

In response, Apple announced that it would be removing access to the highly encrypted version of its iCloud storage feature for UK users. Concurrently, the company filed a challenge with the IPT, as reported by the FT, indicating its intention to aggressively contest the order affecting its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature, as well as its decision to withdraw the security feature from the UK market.

Notably, Apple continues to offer the strongly encrypted iCloud backups in other markets, despite the order allegedly seeking access to data from users outside the UK. The British Government contends that Apple has failed to comply with the order by not shutting down the feature globally, according to the FT.

This case may mark the first instance where the UK’s encryption-breaking powers are being challenged before the IPT, the body overseeing the security services, although it is likely that the hearing will be held in secret, as reported by the FT.

Apple declined to provide a new statement on the matter but referred to previous remarks made last month. At the time, the company expressed its disappointment that UK users would no longer have access to the security feature, stating that it was “gravely disappointed” by the development.