UK drops Apple backdoor demand

The UK ends its push for a back door to encrypted data following talks with the United States, a move praised by privacy advocates and watched closely by tech firms.

UK Drops Apple Backdoor Demand Protecting US Privacy

Britain has dropped its demand that Apple provide access to encrypted data for US users, according to US director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. She said the decision followed months of talks aimed at protecting Americans’ privacy while sustaining security cooperation between the allies. The UK government declined to comment on operational matters but stressed that longstanding security arrangements remain in place, and Apple did not respond to requests for comment. The shift comes after Apple in February said it could not offer its most advanced data protection in the UK, a move tied to security officials’ pressure and reports of requests for blanket access to cloud data. Under the Investigatory Powers Act authorities can compel encryption removal through a technical capability notice, a framework privacy advocates have long criticized.

The episode shows how privacy and security remain a political bargaining chip. The willingness to back away from a backdoor demand suggests civil liberties arguments can gain ground even in high tension security talks. It also underscores how diplomacy can shape tech policy in real time and how the legal framework that governs surveillance stays central to any quick fix.

Yet the broader fight is far from over. If encryption protections remain robust in practice, governments may still push for access under other pretexts. The industry will need clear safeguards and transparent limits to prevent mission creep and to protect trust in the digital economy.

Highlights

The encryption debate is ongoing and will test how privacy protections are guarded in a global security landscape.