UK Presses Apple on U.S. User Encryption Access Amidst Reported Talks
24 March 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Bloomberg News reported today, citing insiders, that officials from the United Kingdom and the U.S. have been privately negotiating a solution regarding Britain's attempt to compel Apple Inc. to establish backdoors in encrypted data on American users.
Following February’s cancellation of its most advanced Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for British customers, Bloomberg revealed details about these private discussions between government officials from both countries—a measure that represented an unprecedented response by the company to governmental requests for access to user information. Removing encryption protection would allow Apple to obtain iCloud backups under certain circumstances, such as legally compelled iMessage copies and data transfers to authorities when necessary.
With end-to-end encryption enabled, even Apple cannot gain access to this material. Neither Apple nor Britain’s Home Office immediately responded to a request for comment from Reuters.
A long-standing conflict exists between governments worldwide and tech giants over robust encryption designed to protect consumer communications; government agencies often view such protections as obstacles to surveillance and crime-fighting initiatives, with the UK's demands being particularly broad.
Reuters reported at the end of February that U.S. officials were investigating whether Britain had requested Apple create a “backdoor” into encrypted cloud storage systems in violation of bilateral agreements. In a letter dated Feb 25th to Congress members, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines stated that America was probing if British authorities violated the CLOUD Act, which prohibits governments from requesting access to citizens’ data across borders.
The Office of the U.S. Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to BBC reports, Apple's appeal against Britain’s order will be heard in a closed session at London High Court tomorrow.
Following February’s cancellation of its most advanced Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for British customers, Bloomberg revealed details about these private discussions between government officials from both countries—a measure that represented an unprecedented response by the company to governmental requests for access to user information. Removing encryption protection would allow Apple to obtain iCloud backups under certain circumstances, such as legally compelled iMessage copies and data transfers to authorities when necessary.
With end-to-end encryption enabled, even Apple cannot gain access to this material. Neither Apple nor Britain’s Home Office immediately responded to a request for comment from Reuters.
A long-standing conflict exists between governments worldwide and tech giants over robust encryption designed to protect consumer communications; government agencies often view such protections as obstacles to surveillance and crime-fighting initiatives, with the UK's demands being particularly broad.
Reuters reported at the end of February that U.S. officials were investigating whether Britain had requested Apple create a “backdoor” into encrypted cloud storage systems in violation of bilateral agreements. In a letter dated Feb 25th to Congress members, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines stated that America was probing if British authorities violated the CLOUD Act, which prohibits governments from requesting access to citizens’ data across borders.
The Office of the U.S. Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. According to BBC reports, Apple's appeal against Britain’s order will be heard in a closed session at London High Court tomorrow.