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Us Spy Chief Gabbard Says Uk Agreed Drop Backdoor Mandate Apple 2025 08 19

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"The way things are going, just a year in — I genuinely think he will leave. I think he will be forced out."

"Starmer might have to go in months."

"I predict that before this year is out, Keir Starmer will be out."

"I don't think he will survive a year [as prime minister]."

"I'm very confident [to remain in charge come 2029]."

"Of course [he will be prime minister till 2029]."

How Long Will Keir Starmer Be UK's Prime Minister?

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claimed on Monday that the U.K. has agreed to drop its requirement for Apple to provide a backdoor enabling access to protected encrypted data of American citizens.

Tulsi Gabbard

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claimed on Monday that the U.K. has agreed to drop its requirement for Apple to provide a backdoor enabling access to protected encrypted data of American citizens.

Gabbard stated she worked over the "past few months" with U.K. partners alongside President Trump and Vice President Vance to "ensure Americans' private data remains private" and constitutional rights were protected.

Gabbard stated she worked over the "past few months" with U.K. partners alongside President Trump and Vice President Vance to "ensure Americans' private data remains private" and constitutional rights were protected.

The Investigatory Powers Act allows relevant U.K. law enforcement and intelligence agencies to request "entities," third-party "bulk personal datasets," and information deemed to have "low or no reasonable expectation of privacy" from international companies if deemed necessary for national security.

UK Government

The Investigatory Powers Act allows relevant U.K. law enforcement and intelligence agencies to request "entities," third-party "bulk personal datasets," and information deemed to have "low or no reasonable expectation of privacy" from international companies if deemed necessary for national security.

The U.K. Home Office reportedly <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/uk-demands-apple-create-global-cloud-data-backdoor">issued Apple a Technical Capability Notice</a> in January requiring the company to provide access to data from its Advanced Data Protection system, which uses end-to-end encryption to secure user files.

BBC News

Liberty

The U.K. Home Office reportedly issued Apple a Technical Capability Notice in January requiring the company to provide access to data from its Advanced Data Protection system, which uses end-to-end encryption to secure user files.

Apple consequently <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/apple-pulls-top-security-feature-from-uk-over-privacy-law">withdrew its Advanced Data Protection service</a> from U.K. users and launched legal action at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

Apple Newsroom

Judiciary

Apple consequently withdrew its Advanced Data Protection service from U.K. users and launched legal action at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

In February, Gabbard claimed that she was not aware of the U.K.'s request to Apple prior to media reports, while stating that the U.K. could not demand data of U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents under the bilateral CLOUD Act.

In February, Gabbard claimed that she was not aware of the U.K.'s request to Apple prior to media reports, while stating that the U.K. could not demand data of U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents under the bilateral CLOUD Act.

Reuters #0

Tulsi Gabbard #

UK Government #

BBC News #

Liberty #

Apple Newsroom #

This represents a crucial victory for American constitutional rights and digital privacy. The UK's demand would have created dangerous vulnerabilities that cybercriminals and authoritarian governments could exploit. Strong diplomatic pressure successfully protected citizens from government overreach.

This represents a crucial victory for American constitutional rights and digital privacy. The UK's demand would have created dangerous vulnerabilities that cybercriminals and authoritarian governments could exploit. Strong diplomatic pressure successfully protected citizens from government overreach.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera #

UK agrees to drop mandate for Apple back door, US spy chief says

DNIGabbard

The UK maintains legitimate security concerns about protecting citizens from terrorism and serious criminals who exploit encrypted communications. Britain will continue taking necessary domestic actions to keep UK citizens safe while working with international partners.

The UK maintains legitimate security concerns about protecting citizens from terrorism and serious criminals who exploit encrypted communications. Britain will continue taking necessary domestic actions to keep UK citizens safe while working with international partners.

Reuters #

UK Drops Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand After US Pressure

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The IPA remains a crucial security tool that helps Britain counter serious threats and protect national interests. However, requesting encrypted data from Apple led to concerns over the rights of American citizens. The agreement to drop the mandate is the result of months of diplomacy between two allies, and is of mutual long-term benefit to all.

The IPA remains a crucial security tool that helps Britain counter serious threats and protect national interests. However, requesting encrypted data from Apple led to concerns over the rights of American citizens. The agreement to drop the mandate is the result of months of diplomacy between two allies, and is of mutual long-term benefit to all.

UK Parliament

Investigatorypowers(Amendment)Act2024Implementatio

This agreement is welcome but insufficient. The IPA remains fully operational, authorizing mass surveillance of U.K. citizens without the public even knowing it. Meanwhile, U.S. agencies continue their own extensive domestic surveillance programs. Both governments spy on their own people – dropping one U.K. demand of Apple is but a drop in the ocean.

This agreement is welcome but insufficient. The IPA remains fully operational, authorizing mass surveillance of U.K. citizens without the public even knowing it. Meanwhile, U.S. agencies continue their own extensive domestic surveillance programs. Both governments spy on their own people – dropping one U.K. demand of Apple is but a drop in the ocean.

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Big Brother Watch responds to reports that the UK has dropped its demand for access to Apple users' encrypted data  Big Brother Watch

UK Drops Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand After US Pressure

UK Drops Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand After US Pressure

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UK Drops Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand After US Pressure

UK Drops Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand After US Pressure

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