The US and the UK also signed a special data agreement that would fast-track requests from law enforcement to technology companies for information about the communications of terrorists and child predators. Law enforcement could get information in weeks or even days instead of the current wait of six months to two years. The latest tug-of-war between governments and tech companies over user data could also affect Apple Inc, Alphabet Inc’s Google and Microsoft Corp, as well as smaller encrypted chat apps like Signal. Washington has called for more regulation and launched antitrust investigations against many tech companies, criticizing them over privacy lapses, election-related activity and dominance in online advertising. The bilateral agreement between the UK and the US would empower the UK government to directly request data from US tech companies rather than asking for it via US law enforcement officials.

Source: Taipei Times October 04, 2019 15:56 UTC