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1h ago

U.K. Agrees to Drop Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand, U.S. Says

U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard announced the reversal after months of Washington-led diplomatic pressure.

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Many tech firms pride themselves on refusing to provide government agencies with access to users' data
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A man walks past an advertisement for an Apple iPhone at an Apple Inc. store in central London, on January 27, 2025.

Overview

  • Apple had disabled its iCloud Advanced Data Protection feature for U.K. users in February following a secret Technical Capability Notice under the Investigatory Powers Act.
  • The U.K. Home Office declined to confirm the change or even the notice’s existence, citing a policy against commenting on operational matters.
  • Apple’s legal challenge at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal remains active, with proceedings slated for early 2026 according to reporting.
  • U.S. officials warned the U.K. order risked breaching CLOUD Act arrangements and creating security vulnerabilities, with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance involved in the push to rescind it.
  • It is unclear whether the notice has been formally revoked or when Apple might restore Advanced Data Protection for U.K. customers.