UK government drops demand for access to Apple users’ encrypted data

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 Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence, confirmed that Britain had withdrawn its request for Apple to provide access to protected encrypted data.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 Apples 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 Britains 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 governments 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.The post UK government drops demand for access to Apple users encrypted data appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.