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1h ago

U.K. Drops Apple Encryption ‘Backdoor’ Demand, U.S. Intelligence Chief Says

The U.S. director of national intelligence attributed the shift to months of American 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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Overview

  • Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the U.K. agreed to abandon a mandate that Apple build access into encrypted iCloud data affecting Americans.
  • The Home Office declined to confirm or deny any order, citing a policy of not commenting on operational matters, and Apple has not commented.
  • Apple disabled its Advanced Data Protection feature for U.K. users in February after receiving a Technical Capability Notice under the Investigatory Powers Act.
  • Apple’s legal challenge to the notice remains before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, and it is unclear whether the order will be withdrawn or modified.
  • U.S. officials had warned the U.K. demand could conflict with the CLOUD Act and undermine security, with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance reported to have pressed London to step back.