United Kingdom Drops Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
The United Kingdom dropped its demand for Apple to provide backdoor access to encrypted data, following Apple's resistance and the removal of iCloud Advanced Data Protection from the UK.
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Overview
- The United Kingdom has officially dropped its demand for Apple to provide backdoor access to encrypted data, specifically concerning American citizens' information.
- This decision comes after Apple consistently resisted government requests for such access, challenging similar mandates in court to protect user privacy.
- Apple had previously removed its iCloud Advanced Data Protection feature from the UK market, a move reportedly in response to pressure from the US government.
- Initially, the UK had sought access to iCloud data not just for American citizens, but for citizens of multiple countries.
- A US official confirmed the UK's reversal, highlighting a significant development in the ongoing global debate over data encryption and government access.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the UK's "secret" demand for a "backdoor" as an encroachment on civil liberties, highlighting the "outrage" from privacy experts. They focus on Apple's resistance and the positive outcome of the demand being dropped, consistently using language that underscores the privacy implications over any potential security justifications.
"The announcement was made by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on social media late Monday evening."
CNET"The U.K has dropped its demand for special access to Apple’s cloud systems, or a “backdoor,” following negotiations with the Trump administration."
TechCrunchArticles (3)
FAQ
The UK government sought a backdoor into Apple's encrypted data to access iCloud accounts worldwide, aiming to assist in criminal investigations and national security efforts.
Advanced Data Protection (ADP) is an opt-in feature that provides end-to-end encryption for all iCloud-stored data, making it inaccessible even to Apple. Due to the UK's demand for access, Apple disabled this feature for UK users in February 2025.
US officials, including the Director of National Intelligence and Vice President JD Vance, strongly opposed the UK demand, warning it would create systemic vulnerabilities and infringe on American citizens' civil liberties. They worked diplomatically with the UK to have the mandate dropped.
The UK officially dropped its demand for Apple to provide a backdoor to encrypted data after months of negotiations, following US diplomatic pressure and Apple’s resistance. This allows for the potential return of Advanced Data Protection in the UK.
The UK's withdrawal is viewed as a positive step for privacy advocates, but experts argue that laws like the Investigatory Powers Act still pose threats to private communication. Calls remain for amending such laws to better protect encryption and privacy rights.
History
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