U.S. intelligence leader alleges UK succumbed to pressure over Apple data access request
The UK government has reportedly dropped its demand to force Apple to weaken iPhone encryption and create a backdoor to access encrypted iCloud data, following strong resistance from Apple and intervention by the U.S. government.
In December 2024, the UK issued a controversial order under the Investigatory Powers Act requiring Apple to break its strongest encryption standard, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), to allow government access to encrypted files globally. Apple firmly resisted, warning that complying would undermine security for millions of users worldwide. Rather than comply, Apple removed ADP from the UK market and initiated legal proceedings, with a tribunal scheduled for early 2026.
The US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, announced in August 2025 that the UK had dropped the demand for a backdoor, which would have compromised American citizens' encrypted data and infringed on civil liberties. Neither Apple nor the UK government has yet issued formal official confirmation of the withdrawal; Apple claims it has not received official notice yet, though reports indicate the UK agreed to rescind the order.
The abandonment of the attempt was reportedly due to a quiet climb-down after an intervention from the White House. Reports emerged earlier this month that the White House was leaning on its ally to row back, concerned that any UK-mandated backdoor would compromise Americans' data as well.
If the UK is indeed making this concession, it would be a win for Apple, which has repeatedly stated that creating backdoors for "good guys" is creating vulnerabilities for everyone. In February, Apple pulled its Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK, signaling it would rather walk away than give the government a skeleton key to iCloud.
The Home Office slapped Apple with a TCN, the first known attempt to force a global platform to deliberately weaken its own products under the Investigatory Powers Act. US lawmakers pressed the Trump administration to oppose the UK's order for an Apple iCloud backdoor. The move was widely read as a warning shot to other tech firms tempted to base sensitive services in Britain.
Civil rights organizations and some US senators hailed the UK’s retreat as a victory for secure communications and privacy. If confirmed, the UK's decision would mark a significant shift in the ongoing debate over encryption and government access to data.
As of August 2025, the UK government has effectively backed away from its attempt to force Apple to weaken encryption following strong opposition and U.S. government pressure. The White House’s intervention played a key role in ensuring that the UK rescinded its demand. The saga has already left its mark, as Apple switched off its Advanced Data Protection feature for iCloud users in the UK in February. The UK has agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a backdoor to encrypted data as a result of work with the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The UK government has not confirmed the news, but a UK official told The Financial Times that they would not force Apple to provide a backdoor for encrypted data. Apple did not immediately respond to questions about the situation.
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