Apple has launched a legal challenge against the UK government’s demand to create a backdoor for encrypted iCloud accounts, . The company has filed a complaint with the aim of overturning the order. The appeal has been made to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), an independent judicial body.

This development comes after a leaked document revealed the UK government’s order, which required Apple to build a . The government’s intention was to compel the company to make data available to law enforcement agencies. However, Apple refused to comply. Instead, the company announced that it would discontinue national access to the highly encrypted version of iCloud storage, also known as .

The 2016 Investigatory Powers Act grants UK authorities the power to demand access to encrypted accounts, but this is believed to be the first time the law has faced a legal challenge. The IPT has accepted Apple’s case and will examine whether the UK’s demands were lawful.

A hearing for the case could take place as early as this month. However, it is unclear whether the proceedings will be open to the public, as the UK government may argue that the case should be restricted due to national security concerns.

Apple has not commented on its legal action against the UK government, . The statement reiterated that “we have never built a back door or master key to any of our products or services and we never will.”

UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis has defended the demand for access to encrypted accounts on a case-by-case basis, stating that “the Investigatory Powers Act contains robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy and ensure that data is obtained only on an exceptional basis, and only when it is necessary and proportionate to do so.”

The original request would have allowed UK law enforcement to access an encrypted iCloud account after obtaining a warrant approved by a judge. Notably, even Apple itself does not have access to this encrypted data.