Update-manager: could not initialise the package information

[P]

I am using Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTSap and Version 22.04.18 of the Software Updater.

I was expecting the software to be updated automatically by the Software Updater, like it is every day.

Instead, I got the following error message: "E:can not open /var/lib/apt/lists/updates.signal.org_desktop_apt_dists_xenial_InRelease-fopen(13:Permission denied), E:The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened."

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
Package: update-manager 1:22.04.18
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.5.0-21.21~22.04.1-generic 6.5.8
Uname: Linux 6.5.0-21-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.5
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Thu Mar 7 09:57:10 2024
InstallationDate: Installed on 2023-11-17 (110 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS "Jammy Jellyfish" - Release amd64 (20230807.2)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: update-manager
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)