Government abandons proposal for compulsory disclosure of Apple's encrypted user information
UK Government Abandons Demand for Apple Backdoor Access to Encrypted iCloud Data
In a significant turn of events, the UK government has dropped its demand for Apple to provide a backdoor access to encrypted iCloud data, following intervention and pressure from U.S. officials. The controversial order, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act in January 2025, would have required Apple to enable access to end-to-end encrypted cloud backups even for users outside the UK.
The decision to withdraw the mandate was made in August 2025, after a legal challenge by Apple and public intervention from figures such as Vice-President JD Vance and Tulsi Gabbard. Reports indicate that U.S. civil liberties concerns played a key role in persuading the UK to back off from its demand.
Apple responded to the controversy by withdrawing its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) from UK users after February 2025. This move protects Apple's end-to-end encryption for iCloud users and sets a precedent against government-mandated encryption backdoors.
The concession by the government is aimed at cooling tensions between London and Washington on the issue. Tulsi Gabbard, who has been working closely with UK partners, President Trump, and Vice-President Vance to ensure Americans' private data remains private, revealed the withdrawal publicly.
Elon Musk's X platform posted a warning about potential infringements on free speech, echoing the language used by JD Vance. There has been a surge in VPN usage due to the new rules, allowing internet users to bypass the restrictions.
The Online Safety Act, a source of political headaches for the government, has come into effect on 25th July. Concerns around security have been raised due to decentralised ID verification platforms. However, the article does not provide information about any division between the UK and US on 'free speech.'
A UK official told the financial broadsheet that "we can't and we won't" force Apple to provide a back door for encrypted data. Gabbard told the Financial Times that the government has agreed to abandon its demands for a "back door" for data.
This abandonment marks the first active climbdown in Labour's implementation of the controversial online restrictions. It is thought to be "settled," though the order has not yet been formally withdrawn. 80% of the public support curbs on access to sensitive online material for minors.
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