WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The United Kingdom has dropped its demand that Apple build a “backdoor” into its cloud systems, following high-level talks with the Trump administration, U.S. officials confirmed this week.
The decision comes after months of negotiations between U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and American allies, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Gabbard said the agreement protects Americans’ privacy and safeguards constitutional rights.
“As a result, the U.K. has agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a ‘back door’ that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens and encroached on our civil liberties,” Gabbard wrote in a post on X.
The British government had sought special access to Apple’s iCloud data, raising alarms among privacy advocates. That request was made under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, also known as the “Snoopers’ Charter.”
At the center of the fight was Apple’s Advanced Data Protection, a security option that lets users turn on end-to-end encryption for iCloud. With this feature active, only the account owner can access stored files. Not even Apple can unlock them.
The U.K. government pressed Apple to create a secret method to bypass this encryption. Security experts worldwide warned such a move would weaken digital privacy for millions. Critics argued it would also set a dangerous precedent for other governments to demand similar backdoors from technology companies.
In response to the demand, Apple initially limited Advanced Data Protection inside the United Kingdom. New users could not activate the feature, and the company warned existing customers that they might need to disable it.
Apple also challenged the government’s mandate in court. While the case was first kept secret, a judge later ordered it to be heard in public.
Apple has long insisted it will never weaken its security systems. In a statement to TechCrunch earlier this year, the company said it has “never built a backdoor or master key” and “never will.”
The news marks a major win for digital privacy supporters. The U.K.’s reversal eases concerns that governments could force companies to compromise security protections for millions of users worldwide.
“This shows that privacy and civil liberties can still win, even against powerful pressure,” said one U.S. official familiar with the negotiations.
Olivia Coleman, press secretary for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, pointed to a February letter sent to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., as evidence of the administration’s stance on strong encryption.
Apple has not said when Advanced Data Protection will be restored in the United Kingdom. The company also did not comment on the government’s decision to step back from the backdoor demand. The U.K. Home Office has remained silent as well.
Still, the outcome underscores the importance of secure encryption in modern technology. By holding firm, Apple avoided creating a tool that could have been exploited not only by governments but also by hackers and criminal groups.
For now, Americans’ encrypted iCloud data will remain secure. But the dispute highlights an ongoing global debate. Governments continue to seek more access to encrypted communications in the name of security, while privacy advocates argue that such measures risk exposing ordinary citizens to new threats.
The case also signals how international laws can collide with tech companies’ global operations. Apple must balance local regulations with the need to maintain trust among its users worldwide.
Analysts say the U.K.’s reversal could influence future negotiations with other countries considering similar laws. It also reinforces the message that major technology companies are unwilling to compromise on encryption.
For now, Apple’s position remains unchanged: no backdoors, no exceptions. And after this latest development, users who rely on Apple’s Advanced Data Protection can continue to do so with confidence.
