More often than not the government finds itself at the mercy of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) requesting significant data for whatever purpose. In its latest transparency report of the second half of 2016, the iPhone maker claims to have received more requests from the U.S. government on national security grounds than never before. The requests which were at 3,000 in the first half of 2016 rose up to about 6,000 in the second half.
A majority of the requests involved user accounts but Apple would not provide the exact number because it is only allowed to provide a range in increments of 250. The nature of the request is also not known as a result of a ban on companies by the U.S. government from providing the same.
The national security orders are within the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
Apple’s first transparency report on national security requests by the US government was in the second-half of 2013. At the time, the tally was only at 0-249 cases. However, the requests, which are received under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, have been growing over time.
Under the Act, the government spies on foreign targets or gag orders attached to national security letters. It also gives leeway into accessing data from devices suspected to have been used in fraud activities. In the last six months, the US authorities sought access to data in twice as many Apple devices of last year than the previous year.
Apple received one declassified national security letter
A national security letter commonly referred to as NSL is not only controversial but it must also be kept secret. In its report, Apple says it received one such letter but it could not divulge any further details. Nonetheless, the letter is now declassified, which means it can be published but Apple has yet to do so.
Apparently, the Cupertino giant has in its custody many other NSLs but it says that the FBI has declined to declassify them. Other companies that receive the requests from the government include Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). Meanwhile, Apple’s stock closed at $153.34 a fall of $0.46 or 0.30%.