https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/07/uk-backing-down-on-apple-encryption-backdoor-after-pressure-from-us/ Skip to content Ars Technica home Sections Forum Subscribe * AI * Biz & IT * Cars * Culture * Gaming * Health * Policy * Science * Security * Space * Tech * Feature * Reviews * Store * AI * Biz & IT * Cars * Culture * Gaming * Health * Policy * Science * Security * Space * Tech Forum Subscribe Story text Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard] * Subscribers only Learn more Pin to story Theme * HyperLight * Day & Night * Dark * System Search dialog... Sign In Sign in dialog... Sign in Backing down UK backing down on Apple encryption backdoor after pressure from US UK officials fear their insistence on backdoor endangers tech deals with US. Anna Gross, Tim Bradshaw, and Lauren Fedor, Financial Times - Jul 21, 2025 9:30 am | 96 An iPhone displays a message that says, "Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users." An iPhone displays a message that says, "Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) in the United Kingdom to new users." Credit: Getty Images | Yui Mok - PA Images Credit: Getty Images | Yui Mok - PA Images Text settings Story text Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard] * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Sir Keir Starmer's government is seeking a way out of a clash with the Trump administration over the UK's demand that Apple provide it with access to secure customer data, two senior British officials have told the Financial Times. The officials both said the Home Office, which ordered the tech giant in January to grant access to its most secure cloud storage system, would probably have to retreat in the face of pressure from senior leaders in Washington, including Vice President JD Vance. "This is something that the vice president is very annoyed about and which needs to be resolved," said an official in the UK's technology department. "The Home Office is basically going to have to back down." Both officials said the UK decision to force Apple to break its end-to-end encryption--which has been raised multiple times by top officials in Donald Trump's administration--could impede technology agreements with the US. "One of the challenges for the tech partnerships we're working on is the encryption issue," the first official said. "It's a big red line in the US--they don't want us messing with their tech companies." Starmer's government has set out a trade strategy that focuses on digital goals such as AI and data partnerships. The other senior government official added that the Home Office had handled the issue of Apple encryption very badly and now had "its back against the wall," adding: "It's a problem of the Home Office's own making, and they're working on a way around it now." In its order in January, the Home Office told Apple to build in a "back door" to allow law enforcement or security services to tap into the cloud storage system that stores user data that even the iPhone maker itself is currently unable to access. It did so by issuing a "technical capability notice" under the UK Investigatory Powers Act, legislation that critics dub a "snooper's charter" but that the government maintains is needed by law enforcement to investigate terrorism and child sexual abuse. Under the terms of the legislation, recipients of such a notice are unable to discuss the matter publicly, even with customers affected by the order, unless granted permission by the Home Secretary. The legislation's use against Apple has triggered the tech industry's highest-profile battle over encryption technology in almost a decade. In response to the demand, Apple withdrew its most secure cloud storage service from the UK in February and is now challenging the Home Office's order at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which probes complaints against the UK's security services. Last month, Meta-owned WhatsApp said it would join Apple's legal challenge, in a rare collaboration between the Silicon Valley rivals. In the meantime, the Home Office continues to pursue its case with Apple at the tribunal. Its lawyers discussed the next legal steps this month, reflecting the divisions within government over how best to proceed. "At this point, the government has not backed down," said one person familiar with the legal process. A third senior British official added that the UK government was reluctant to push "anything that looks to the US vice-president like a free-speech issue." In a combative speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, Vance argued that free speech and democracy were threatened by European elites. The UK official added, this "limits what we're able to do in the future, particularly in relation to AI regulation." The Labour government has delayed plans for AI legislation until after May next year. Trump has also been critical of the UK stance on encryption. The US president has likened the UK's order to Apple to "something... that you hear about with China," saying in February that he had told Starmer: "You can't do this." US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has also suggested the order would be an "egregious violation" of Americans' privacy that risked breaching the two countries' data agreement. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. "We have never built a back door or master key to any of our products, and we never will," Apple said in February. The UK government did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Vance declined to comment. The Home Office has previously said the UK has "robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy" and that these powers "are only used on an exceptional basis, in relation to the most serious crimes." (c) 2025 The Financial Times Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be redistributed, copied, or modified in any way. Financial Times Financial Times 96 Comments Comments Forum view Loading Loading comments... Prev story Next story Most Read 1. Listing image for first story in Most Read: Exhausted man defeats AI model in world coding championship 1. Exhausted man defeats AI model in world coding championship 2. 2. X-Men at 25 is more relevant than ever 3. 3. UK backing down on Apple encryption backdoor after pressure from US 4. 4. Here's why there are so few new cars for under $30,000 5. 5. A huge fight looms over the NASA budget this fall Customize Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don't need to know everything, only what's important. More from Ars * About Us * Staff Directory * Newsletters * General FAQ * Posting Guidelines * RSS Feeds Contact * Contact us * Advertise with us * Reprints Manage Preferences (c) 2025 Conde Nast. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Ars Technica Addendum and Your California Privacy Rights. Ars Technica may earn compensation on sales from links on this site. Read our affiliate link policy. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Conde Nast. Ad Choices