"Major development acknowledged: Specialists applaud UK government's alleged retreat in its dispute over Apple encryption; however, the matter is not fully resolved"
The ongoing encryption stand-off between Apple and the UK government has taken a significant turn, with the UK government reportedly withdrawing plans to force Apple to provide a "back door" to access encrypted user data. This decision follows a months-long war of words between Apple and the UK government over Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP) tool.
The rumoured decision to withdraw the demand has been welcomed by security experts, with Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at Check Point Software, stating that it is "hugely significant". Wilson also warned that breaking encryption "not only weakens privacy, but also weakens security for everyone".
The Apple order was issued under the Investigatory Powers Act, which means orders issued to other companies are essentially shrouded in secrecy. However, Tulsi Gabbard, US Director of National Intelligence, has confirmed that the UK government is planning to withdraw plans to force Apple to provide a "back door" to access user data.
The ADP tool uses end-to-end encryption to protect personal data, even preventing Apple from accessing personal information. Apple has stated multiple times that it has never built a backdoor or master key to any of its products or services and never will.
The UK government's plans would have seen Apple required to provide a "back door" to access encrypted user data, which would have potentially encroached on civil liberties. This move sparked widespread criticism from privacy experts and industry stakeholders, with legal experts warning that it could harm the UK's industry perception and no longer be seen as a safe destination for personal data.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has urged businesses to follow geopolitics as a defensive strategy in light of the ongoing encryption debate. Wilson expressed concerns that the powers granted by the Investigatory Powers Act "remain on the statute books", implying potential future attempts to access encrypted data.
Tulsi Gabbard has been working closely with the UK government, US President, and Vice President to ensure Americans' private data remains private and civil liberties are protected. The United Kingdom government's withdrawal of plans to force Apple to provide user data by requiring a backdoor into iMessage encryption occurred around August 2025.
The Apple u-turn is "hugely significant" for the UK government, as it marks a victory for privacy advocates and a step towards maintaining trust in the technology industry. However, concerns remain about the potential for future attempts to access encrypted data under the Investigatory Powers Act.
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