UK Abandons Apple Backdoor Order; Eases Tensions Over iCloud Encryption

The UK government has withdrawn efforts to compel Apple to create a backdoor into its encrypted cloud services for American users, easing tensions with Washington as both sides work toward finalizing a broader trade deal. The decision removes a contentious point in ongoing negotiations, particularly around digital security and civil liberties.

According to US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, British authorities rescinded an earlier order that would have required Apple to weaken its encryption safeguards. The mandate, introduced in January, had pressured the iPhone maker to disable its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for iCloud users in the UK, which offers end-to-end encryption for data like device backups and voice memos. Apple complied by suspending ADP in the UK, sparking criticism from privacy advocates.

Over the past few months, I’ve been working closely with our partners in the UK, alongside @POTUS and @VP, to ensure Americans’ private data remains private and our Constitutional rights and civil liberties are protected.

As a result, the UK has agreed to drop its mandate for…— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) August 19, 2025

Gabbard noted that the reversal followed strong backing from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who opposed any measures that could undermine the privacy of US citizens. The announcement drew support from influential figures, including Elon Musk, who has long criticized the UK’s attempts to regulate online speech and data access. While the UK government declined to comment directly on the matter, an official suggested that Gabbard’s assessment was accurate.

The UK’s move comes at a sensitive moment in its relationship with Washington. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the White House coincided with this announcement, underscoring the importance of security cooperation and economic ties between the two nations. The UK is keen to secure tariff relief promised earlier this year, and removing the Apple backdoor dispute is seen as a step toward smoothing negotiations.

The order to Apple was initially based on the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, which allows authorities to compel tech companies to provide access to user data. However, the law also prohibits firms from publicly acknowledging such orders. British officials argued that backdoor access would only be sought in extreme cases, such as terrorism or child sexual abuse investigations. Critics countered that creating backdoors inherently weakens cybersecurity, exposing systems to potential exploitation by hackers.

Apple has consistently positioned privacy as a cornerstone of its brand, resisting government attempts to compromise encryption. The company argues that any weakening of encryption not only risks user trust but also undermines broader cybersecurity protections. While Apple withdrew ADP from the UK earlier this year, it remains unclear whether the feature will be restored following the government’s decision to drop its backdoor demand.

With encryption and data protection central to both security policy and consumer trust, the UK’s retreat highlights the ongoing global debate over striking a balance between national security and digital privacy.

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