US intelligence chief: Britain doesn't want a backdoor for Apple users after all
According to the American intelligence coordinator Tulsi Gabbard, there is a "deal" with London. They wanted a worldwide iCloud backdoor.
Apple logo against a black background.
(Image: dpa, Ralf Hirschberger)
In the dispute over a backdoor for iCloud demanded by the British government, there is now at least an agreement with Washington. This was announced on X by Tulsi Gabbard, who serves as Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration. For several months, they have been working "closely with our partners in the UK" to "ensure that Americans' private data remains private and our constitutional rights and civil liberties remain protected". President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance had been involved.
Great Britain wanted encrypted data
The result was that the United Kingdom dropped its order to Apple to provide a "back door" into its systems (specifically: iCloud). According to Gabbard, this would have ensured that the UK could have accessed "protected encrypted data of American citizens", an encroachment on their civil liberties. Gabbard did not initially provide any details on what the deal actually looks like and whether there is anything in return.
Previously, there had been massive diplomatic disagreement between Washington and London over the possible iCloud backdoor. It was to be implemented as part of the UK Investigatory Powers Act, which is also being pursued by Keir Starmer's social democratic government. Apple was initially unable to publicly admit that it was affected by the law, as the order is secret, but then tried to defend itself legally. US President Trump had compared the UK's plans with those of China. "That's not on", he said.
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No information from the British government
British Prime Minister Starmer was in Washington on Monday to negotiate peace in the Ukraine war together with other European heads of state and Ukrainian President Zelensky. There was no comment from the British government on Gabbard's X-Statement. A spokeswoman only told the Reuters news agency that the government would "always take all necessary measures domestically" to keep British citizens safe. Apple also did not initially respond to inquiries.
The company recently switched off its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) encryption function for iCloud for British customers. This means that the company itself has access to the necessary keys and could hand over British citizens' data to the authorities if the relevant orders are in place. Apple had always defended itself and stated that it would not build a backdoor into devices and encryption systems. Apple also took legal action at the responsible special court, the secret Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT). It is unclear whether these will continue –, nor whether the UK may be trying to obtain data from citizens outside America. Nothing is known about a deal with the EU on the subject.
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