The order had been issued in January under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, a law that lets authorities demand access to communications and data even if held outside Britain. Apple was told to switch off its Advanced Data Protection system for iCloud, which shields backups and other files with end-to-end encryption. That system prevents even Apple from unlocking the contents.
Apple resisted the order. In February it pulled the feature from the UK, cutting off new users and warning existing ones that the protection would soon be withdrawn. The company also launched a legal challenge, with the case due to be heard next year.
Pressure from the United States changed the course. President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard raised the issue with British officials. Vance, who spent time in the UK recently, was said to have spoken directly with London about the consequences. US officials now claim Britain agreed to drop the demand, though the notice itself has not yet been formally withdrawn.
For Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stepping back avoids another point of conflict with Washington at a time when his government is dealing with trade disputes and looking for US backing over the war in Ukraine. Several officials on both sides now describe the matter as resolved, though some in London acknowledge the government came under heavy US pressure.
The Investigatory Powers Act has long been criticized by privacy groups as a sweeping law that gives Britain unusual reach into global data. Supporters say it is needed to tackle terrorism and child abuse. The Home Office has pointed to an existing UK-US data sharing agreement that already allows both countries to request information from telecom and tech companies, with safeguards in place to prevent each side from targeting the other’s citizens.
Even with Britain’s retreat, Apple has not said if or when Advanced Data Protection will return for UK customers. For now, users there remain without the extra layer of cloud security, while the broader debate over encryption and government access is still far from settled.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.
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