Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - The UK Government has backed down on its demand for Apple to create a “back door” into encrypted user data after a row with US President Donald Trump.
Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence,
confirmed that Britain had withdrawn its request for Apple to provide access to
protected encrypted data. In a post on X, she said she had worked with
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance to ensure Americans’ private data
“remains private” and their constitutional rights were protected.
The dispute stemmed from a notice reportedly issued under
the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, in which the Home Office sought access to
Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) tool. This iCloud feature, available
only to account holders, prevents even Apple from accessing stored information.
In response, Apple suspended the service in the UK and launched legal action
against the Home Office.
President Trump criticised Britain’s demand, likening it to
Chinese surveillance, and said he had personally told Prime Minister Sir Keir
Starmer during a February meeting that the plan was unacceptable.
Senior Conservative MP Sir David Davis welcomed the
government’s reversal, warning that a back door “would only serve to weaken the
protection given by encryption to all of us from malicious actors.” Privacy
campaigners had also condemned the move, arguing it risked undermining security
for millions of users.
Police and intelligence agencies have long argued that
encrypted services pose challenges to investigations, particularly in cases
involving terrorism and child abuse. However, the government has faced mounting
criticism over attempts to bypass such protections.
A UK Government spokesperson declined to comment directly on
the matter but stressed that joint security arrangements with the United States
remain in place to address serious threats while safeguarding privacy and
sovereignty.
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