Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- The UK will amend the Investigatory Powers Act with the controversial “spy clause,” but in a declawed state.
- This clause, in its original form, would have allowed the UK government to break chat encryption.
- Apple’s iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, and other chat apps would have exited the country if the amendment fully passed.
Back in July, we told you about a fierce statement Apple released in response to the United Kingdom’s government. In the statement, Apple threatened to pull iMessage and other services out of the country entirely if the government amended a bill with a so-called “spy clause.” This clause would have forced chat app developers to allow government officials to break chat encryption.
At the final hour, the UK government came to its senses and made the clause toothless (via Wired). Now, the government will update the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act with the new terms, but language will make the “spy clause” unenforceable. This means that, for now, iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal, and other encrypted chat services will not leave the UK.