London Quietly Abandons Apple Privacy Clash Amid U.S. Pressure

The United States says the British government has backed away from a controversial demand that would have forced Apple to create a “back door” into its encrypted services. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced on X that London had agreed to drop the order, which Washington feared could expose the private data of American citizens and undermine global privacy protections.

The order, issued in December under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, sought access to Apple’s strongest security system, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which even Apple itself cannot unlock. Apple resisted, pulling ADP from the UK market and preparing to challenge the notice in court. It remains unclear whether the tribunal scheduled for early 2026 will proceed.

British officials declined to confirm or deny the withdrawal, citing security protocols. “We have long had joint security and intelligence arrangements with the U.S. to counter serious threats,” a UK government spokesperson said.

Privacy advocates, who had fiercely opposed the measure, cautiously welcomed reports of the reversal. “If true, this decision is hugely welcome,” said Sam Grant of Liberty, warning that any encryption back door would be “reckless” and leave vulnerable groups at risk.

Civil liberties groups argue the Investigatory Powers Act still contains broad authorities that could be revived by a future government. “The UK’s powers to attack encryption are still on the law books,” said Jim Killock of the Open Rights Group, “and pose a serious risk to user security.”

The UK already has a separate data-sharing agreement with the U.S. that enables cross-border access for law enforcement. But the push for direct back doors into private services triggered alarm well beyond Silicon Valley, igniting a wider battle over privacy, security, and state power in the digital age.