The UK has dropped its order that would have required Apple Inc. to create a backdoor through which authorities in the United Kingdom could access the encrypted communication that takes place through Apple devices. This data is stored on iCloud.
Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. National Intelligence director, made the revelation of the UK’s change of heart. Writing on X, Gabbard yesterday said that she, together with other officials within the federal administration had prevailed upon the Home Office in the UK to reconsider their request for backdoor access to user data stored on the cloud.
She explained that this effort to dissuade the UK had lasted a couple of months and had involved President Trump, Vice President Vance and officials in the UK. The discussions were centered on protecting the constitutional liberties and rights of Americans by safeguarding their private data and keeping it out of reach of third-parties.
It has since come to light that Apple had gone to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the highest court on surveillance in the UK, to challenge the order issued by the Home Office. What transpired in the court was kept under wraps and Apple wasn’t permitted to disclose details of this particular proceeding.
However, information about the Home Office order leaked, triggering significant alarm within both GOP and Democrats in the U.S. Congress. There were calls for America to suspend some of the data-sharing and intelligence cooperation arrangements currently in place between the U.S. and the UK. Gabbard initiated a review process to ascertain how the U.S. could legally respond to the step that the UK had taken in requesting an American firm to give its security officials access to private data.
Analysts say the withdrawal of the order has forestalled the international disputes that would have resulted in the wake of the enforcement of that order. Such a measure would have devastatingly compromised key security features upon which Apple has built its brand and it would have had profound implications on the security of the people who use Apple devices.
It remains to be seen whether this is the last that we shall hear of authorities trying to gain unfettered access to private user data. The overwhelming backlash that this particular attempt elicited may dissuade other authorities from making similar requests, but only time will tell whether such requests have been buried for good. Entities like Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) that hold considerable stakes in Apple Inc. will be watching closely.
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