The Director of National Intelligence reports that the British government has revoked the backdoor installation order against Apple
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has announced that she has successfully overturned the UK government's order to install a 'backdoor that would allow Apple to access all user data.'
US spy chief Gabbard says UK agreed to drop 'backdoor' mandate for Apple | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-spy-chief-gabbard-says-uk-agreed-drop-backdoor-mandate-apple-2025-08-19/
US spy chief says UK has dropped its Apple backdoor demand | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/19/us-spy-chief-says-uk-has-dropped-its-apple-backdoor-demand/
Apple won't have to build backdoor for UK access to American data - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/18/apple-wont-have-to-build-a-backdoor-for-uk-access-to-american-data/
Apple offers a security feature called ' Advanced Data Protection (ADP)' for users who access its cloud storage service, iCloud. When a user enables ADP, most data stored on iCloud is protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning even Apple, the service provider, cannot see the user data.
In January 2025, it was revealed that the UK Home Office had requested Apple install a backdoor under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 that would allow it to retrieve all content uploaded by Apple users to the cloud. Several experts and organizations expressed their concerns in a joint letter regarding the UK government's request to install a backdoor.
The UK government reportedly asked Apple to create a backdoor that could access all users' data - GIGAZINE
In response, Apple stated, 'Apple will no longer offer Advanced Data Protection to new customers in the UK, and existing customers will eventually have to disable the feature. Advanced Data Protection protects iCloud data with end-to-end encryption, meaning it can only be decrypted on the owner's trusted devices. With data breaches and threats to customer privacy continuing to increase, we are disappointed that Advanced Data Protection will no longer be available to UK customers. Strengthening the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever. Apple remains committed to providing the highest level of security for users' personal data and looks forward to doing the same in the UK in the future. As we have stated many times before, Apple has never installed backdoors or master keys in any of our products or services, and we never will.' This means that ADP will no longer be available in the UK.
Apple to end 'Advanced Data Protection' feature in the UK - GIGAZINE
Apple also filed a court challenge, arguing that the UK government's demands were unlawful. Subsequent reports revealed that the US government was also behind Apple's decision to end ADP in the UK.
British attempt to create a backdoor in iPhones withdrawn under US pressure - GIGAZINE
On August 19, 2025, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated, 'Over the past several months, I have worked closely with our UK partners, President Donald Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance to ensure that Americans' private data is protected and their constitutional rights and civil liberties are upheld. As a result, the UK has agreed to revoke its order requiring Apple to install a 'backdoor' that would have provided access to US citizens' protected encrypted data and violated their civil liberties.' She revealed that the UK government had revoked the backdoor installation order.
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.
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) August 19, 2025
As a result, the UK has agreed to drop its mandate for…
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