UK Drops Apple Backdoor Demand After US Negotiations

• Britain has withdrawn its request for Apple to create a backdoor into encrypted data, following months of talks with US officials.

Encryption Dispute Reaches Resolution

The UK government has officially backed away from its demand that Apple provide a backdoor into encrypted data belonging to American citizens. Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, announced the decision on social media, crediting months of negotiations involving President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The request had sparked concern among privacy advocates and lawmakers, who warned that such access could be misused by cybercriminals or authoritarian regimes. Apple had previously challenged the order at the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal, maintaining its stance against weakening encryption.

In February, Apple disabled its Advanced Data Protection feature for UK users, a move widely interpreted as a response to the government’s mandate. This feature offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud data, ensuring that only the user—not even Apple—can access stored information. The UK’s reversal may allow Apple to reinstate the feature, though the company has not yet commented. A spokesperson for the British government declined to confirm any agreement but emphasized the importance of balancing security and privacy.

Legal and Diplomatic Implications

US officials had raised concerns earlier this year that the UK’s demand might violate the CLOUD Act, a bilateral agreement that restricts cross-border data access between allied nations. In a February letter to Congress, Gabbard indicated that the US was reviewing whether Britain had overstepped its legal bounds. The CLOUD Act prohibits either country from issuing direct demands for the other’s citizens’ data, reinforcing national sovereignty in digital matters. The UK’s initial request appeared to challenge that framework, prompting diplomatic scrutiny.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Washington this week for meetings with Trump and other European leaders, where the encryption issue was reportedly discussed alongside broader security topics. A government spokesperson reiterated the UK’s commitment to protecting its citizens while cooperating with international partners. Despite the resolution, questions remain about how future encryption disputes will be handled under existing legal structures. The case highlights the tension between national security interests and individual privacy rights in an increasingly digital world.

Apple’s History of Encryption Battles

Apple has long resisted government efforts to compromise its encryption standards, citing user privacy and data security as core principles. In 2016, the company famously refused to unlock the iPhone of a suspected extremist, arguing that creating such a tool would set a dangerous precedent. Cybersecurity experts warn that any backdoor, once built, could eventually be discovered and exploited by malicious actors. Apple’s position has remained consistent: it will not build access mechanisms that could undermine the integrity of its devices or services.

The UK’s withdrawal from its backdoor demand may signal a broader shift in how governments approach encrypted technologies. While law enforcement agencies continue to advocate for access in criminal investigations, tech companies and privacy advocates stress the risks of systemic vulnerabilities. Apple’s Advanced Data Protection feature, introduced in 2022, represents one of the strongest consumer-facing encryption tools currently available. Whether its availability in the UK will be restored remains to be seen, pending formal communication from both governments.