Cybersecurity Policy Report, Apple Gets Reprieve From U.K.’s Data-Access Demand, Gabbard Says, (Aug 19, 2025)
Organizations Mentioned:Apple | Computer & Communications Industry Association | Director of National Intelligence
The United Kingdom has decided against requiring Apple, Inc., to give its intelligence and law enforcement authorities access to the encrypted communications of Apple’s customers, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Late yesterday, Ms. Gabbard disclosed in a post on X that she and other administration officials had persuaded U.K.’s Home Office to drop its request for a “back door” that would give it access to Apple customers’ iCloud data.
“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,” she said.
“As a result, the UK has agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a ‘back door’ that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens and encroached on our civil liberties,” Ms. Gabbard added.
Apple had challenged the Home Office directive in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the U.K.’s top surveillance court, in a proceeding that was largely secret (CPR, April 7).
Apple wasn’t allowed to discuss the order publicly, but news of it leaked, prompting bipartisan alarm in Congress. It also led to calls for the U.S. to end some of its intelligence cooperation and data-sharing with the U.K. Ms. Gabbard had initiated a legal review to determine how the U.S. should respond (CPR, Feb. 27).
Neither Apple nor the Home Office responded to requests for comment. The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), which had expressed concern about the Home Office order (CPR, Feb. 7), said it was relieved that the order was being withdrawn.
“While we do not know what could be important details about the scope, it is right that the UK Government has responded to concerns that a Home Office order was undermining important security features,” Matthew Sinclair, CCIA’s senior director, said in a statement. “Industry warned the regime would weaken security for users and lead to international disputes.”
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