UK government retracts Apple 'back-door' demand following pressure from Trump administration
In a significant turn of events, the UK government has dropped its demand for Apple to create a backdoor into its technology for access to encrypted user data, following intense diplomatic negotiations and public privacy concerns.
The demand, made under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act 2016, would have compromised the security and privacy of users globally, including Americans. The secret order issued in January 2025 would have allowed UK law enforcement to compel access to communications and metadata from tech companies in secret.
The resolution came after direct intervention by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, working closely with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and UK counterparts, emphasizing protection of Americans' private data and civil liberties. Gabbard announced that the UK agreed to drop its mandate requiring Apple to provide a backdoor enabling access to encrypted data of American citizens, thereby ending a diplomatic row between the two nations.
Apple had initially responded by withdrawing its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) encryption service from UK customers, citing it never built nor would build any backdoor or master key to its products or services. Although the UK Home Office has not clarified whether it would continue to require access to UK user encrypted data if Apple reinstates the ADP service, the secret nature of the agreement has raised concerns about what was exchanged in this “mutually beneficial” deal.
Reports about the order earlier this year raised alarm among security experts and tech leaders. The Advanced Data Protection feature provides optional end-to-end encryption for personal data such as photos and messages, and its removal for UK users was seen as an effort to protect more advanced security for users elsewhere in the world.
The UK agreement marks the latest instance of the Trump administration convincing a foreign government to walk back regulation of an American tech company. In June, Canada said it would rescind a digital services tax to restart trade negotiations with the US.
Tech executives, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, have sought to foster close relationships with Trump since he took office. However, the demand for a "back door" was opposed by the Trump administration, emphasizing the importance of user privacy and data security.
As of now, Apple has not responded to CNN's request for comment on the UK government's retreat from the demand. The drop in the demand is a relief for users worldwide, preserving their encrypted data privacy, especially for American citizens.
[1] BBC News. (2025, July 1). UK drops demand for Apple backdoor. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57783165
[2] The Guardian. (2025, January 15). Apple withdraws iCloud encryption service in UK after government demands access to data. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/15/apple-withdraws-icloud-encryption-service-in-uk-after-government-demands-access-to-data
[3] CNN. (2025, July 1). UK drops demand for Apple backdoor following US pressure. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/01/tech/uk-drops-apple-backdoor-demand/index.html
[4] Wired. (2025, July 1). The UK Dropped Its Demand for an Apple Backdoor. But Questions Remain. [online] Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/uk-dropped-its-demand-for-an-apple-backdoor-but-questions-remain/
[5] The Verge. (2025, July 1). The UK has dropped its demand for Apple to build a backdoor into its technology. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2025/7/1/23621190/uk-drops-demand-for-apple-backdoor-encryption-trump-gabbard-vance
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