The UK government has backed away from efforts to force Apple to weaken its encryption systems, a move that had triggered alarm in Washington and sparked a backlash from digital rights advocates.
The decision was confirmed by U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who announced on social media that the United Kingdom had dropped its demand for Apple to provide a so-called “backdoor” into encrypted user data. Such a measure, she warned, would have compromised the privacy of millions of users worldwide, including American citizens.
UK’s Encryption Demands Under Scrutiny
In February, reports emerged that the British government had issued Apple a Technical Capability Notice (TCN), a secret order under the Investigatory Powers Act, instructing the company to ensure its encrypted data could be accessed by security agencies when requested. These notices are legally binding but rarely acknowledged publicly, as both government and companies are prohibited from confirming their existence.
In response, Apple disabled its “advanced data protection” feature for iCloud in the UK. The security measure, available in other regions, provides end-to-end encryption for data stored in the cloud, meaning only the account holder can access it. By withdrawing the feature, Apple avoided a direct clash with UK authorities but at the cost of limiting privacy protections for British users.
Washington Pushes Back
The U.S. government quickly intervened. Gabbard, speaking for the intelligence community, expressed “grave concerns” that compelling Apple or any technology company to build backdoors into encrypted services would expose Americans’ personal information to exploitation.
“This would have been a direct violation of our citizens’ privacy and an invitation for malicious actors to exploit security flaws,” she wrote. Gabbard said she worked closely with the White House and U.S. agencies including the CIA and NSA to evaluate the UK’s approach before London ultimately reversed course.
UK’s Position on Security and Privacy
While declining to comment directly on Gabbard’s statement, a UK government spokesperson emphasized that Britain maintains long-standing intelligence-sharing agreements with the U.S. and other allies to combat threats such as terrorism and child exploitation. These arrangements, officials noted, include safeguards to prevent one country from targeting the citizens of another.
The spokesperson added that the government would continue balancing security needs with privacy protections. “We will always act to keep our citizens safe while maintaining strong safeguards around sovereignty and privacy,” they said.
Rights Groups Remain Wary
Civil liberties organizations cautiously welcomed news of the government’s retreat but warned that the Investigatory Powers Act still grants ministers broad authority to interfere with encryption.
Sam Grant, director of external relations at Liberty, described the climbdown as “hugely welcome” but warned that as long as the law allows for TCNs, the risk remains that a future government could seek similar powers again. “Creating a backdoor into private communications would be reckless and unlawful,” he said. “The safest path is for the government to repeal these provisions entirely.”
Jim Killock, executive director of the Open Rights Group, also raised concerns. He noted that while Apple may now be free to reinstate advanced encryption protections in the UK, the lingering presence of surveillance powers on the statute books creates uncertainty. “If Apple restores the feature, users will still question whether their privacy can be guaranteed in the long term,” he said.
Broader Implications
The debate highlights a persistent global struggle between governments seeking access to encrypted communications for security purposes and technology companies and rights groups defending the principle of digital privacy. Critics argue that any weakening of encryption inevitably creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminals and hostile states, while governments maintain that access is essential for law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts.
For now, Apple appears to have avoided a major confrontation with UK authorities. But the company has yet to comment publicly on Gabbard’s announcement, leaving open the question of whether advanced encryption protections will be reinstated for UK customers.
What is clear is that the issue is far from resolved. The powers enshrined in the Investigatory Powers Act remain in place, and campaigners are pressing for their removal. Until then, privacy advocates argue, the possibility of renewed pressure on tech firms will continue to cast a shadow over digital rights in Britain.