Apple threatens to kill FaceTime and iMessage in U.K.

Calls proposed legislation "a serious and direct threat" to security and privacy.

- DAVID PRICE

Apple has warned that it will shut down services such as FaceTime and iMessage in the U.K. if the government that country goes ahead with passing controversial legislation.

A proposed update to the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is currently in open consultation (fave.co/470JLCO). Members of the public are invited to offer feedback on the amendments, which include a requirement for messaging services to notify the Home Office, a department of the British Government that handles immigration, security, and law and order, of new security features before they are rolled out, and the right for the Home Office to privately demand that security features be disabled immediately. Under current legislation, the latter can be requested, but there is an independent oversight process and room for appeal before action is taken.