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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.

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 (IPA) 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 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 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.

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.

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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, and stated 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, and stated that the U.K. could not demand data of U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents under the bilateral CLOUD Act.

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Gabbard stated she worked for months with UK partners alongside President Trump and Vice President Vance to ensure Americans' private data remains private and constitutional rights are protected.</span

Gabbard stated she worked for months with UK partners alongside President Trump and Vice President Vance to ensure Americans' private data remains private and constitutional rights are protected.

Apple withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature for British users in February following the UK order, which prevents anyone other than the user from accessing their encrypted cloud data.</span

Apple withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature for British users in February following the UK order, which prevents anyone other than the user from accessing their encrypted cloud data.

The UK government issued Apple a formal notice in December under the Investigatory Powers Act demanding the right to access encrypted data from users worldwide, which Apple challenged legally.</span

The UK government issued Apple a formal notice in December under the Investigatory Powers Act demanding the right to access encrypted data from users worldwide, which Apple challenged legally.

US officials examined whether Britain violated the CLOUD Act, which bars countries from issuing demands for each other's citizens' data, in a letter dated February 25 to lawmakers.</span

US officials examined whether Britain violated the CLOUD Act, which bars countries from issuing demands for each other's citizens' data, in a letter dated February 25 to lawmakers.

Privacy advocates called the UK's reported reversal a win for digital rights, though they warned that mass surveillance powers under the Investigatory Powers Act remain a threat to privacy.</span

Privacy advocates called the UK's reported reversal a win for digital rights, though they warned that mass surveillance powers under the Investigatory Powers Act remain a threat to privacy.

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.

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.

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.

Gabbard Claims UK to Drop Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand

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Gabbard Claims UK to Drop Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand

Gabbard Claims UK to Drop Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand

Gabbard Claims UK Dropsto Drop Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand After US Pressure

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Gabbard Claims UK to Drop Apple Encryption Backdoor Demand

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