UK drops apple backdoor order after US pushback
The UK has dropped its demand that Apple build a backdoor into its encrypted systems after opposition from the US, which warned it could endanger user security. Apple had challenged the order in court, saying such access would create risks for millions of users worldwide.
The United Kingdom has withdrawn its demand that Apple create a ‘backdoor’ into its encrypted systems, following strong opposition from the United States. The move would have forced the iPhone maker to give the UK government special access to private data stored by users.
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the decision on social media, saying she had worked for months with the UK government, along with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, to reach an agreement. The announcement came as UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Washington for talks with US and European leaders about the war in Ukraine.
The proposed order was highly controversial. US lawmakers warned earlier this year that such a backdoor could be misused not only by governments but also by hackers and criminal groups. Cybersecurity experts agreed, noting that if Apple were ever forced to create a backdoor, it would almost certainly be discovered and exploited, undermining the security of millions of users worldwide.
Apple has long opposed any attempt to weaken its encryption, arguing that it cannot design a backdoor for governments without putting all users at risk. The company had challenged the UK’s order in a special court, while also limiting some features in the UK. In February 2025, Apple disabled its “Advanced Data Protection” option for British users, which normally ensures that even Apple cannot unlock customer data stored in its cloud.
The issue also raised legal questions between the US and UK. Earlier this year, American officials said they were investigating whether the UK’s order violated the CLOUD Act, a treaty that prevents either country from demanding direct access to the data of the other’s citizens. Gabbard had previously told US lawmakers that this was under review.
This is not the first time Apple has clashed with governments over encryption. In 2016, the company resisted US authorities who wanted access to the phone of a suspected extremist, setting off a long-running debate over privacy, security, and law enforcement needs.
What is a backdoor?
A backdoor is a hidden way of bypassing normal security protections to access data. While governments sometimes argue for backdoors to help in criminal or national security investigations, cybersecurity experts warn that once such an entry point exists, it can be exploited by hackers or hostile governments — putting everyone’s data at risk.
