US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has strongly criticized the UK government’s demand that Apple create a “back door” in its iCloud security system, calling it an “egregious violation” of Americans’ privacy. Gabbard’s remarks come in response to concerns from US lawmakers over the potential implications of the UK’s request.
In a letter to Democratic Senator Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman Andy Biggs, Gabbard expressed deep concern that such a measure could grant British authorities access to Americans’ encrypted data. She revealed that she had directed legal and intelligence officials to investigate whether the move violated the US-UK data-sharing agreement, known as the Cloud Act.
“I share your grave concern about the serious implications of the UK, or any foreign country, requiring Apple or any company to create a ‘back door’ that would allow access to Americans’ personal encrypted data,” Gabbard wrote. “This would be a clear and egregious violation of Americans’ privacy and civil liberties, and open up a serious vulnerability for cyber exploitation by adversarial actors.”
Apple Pulls Advanced Encryption Service from UK
Apple last week announced it would no longer offer its most secure cloud storage service, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), in the UK. The decision followed a secret “technical capability notice” issued under the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), requiring the company to provide law enforcement access to encrypted iCloud data.
Under the IPA, companies receiving such orders are legally prohibited from disclosing them. Gabbard stated she was unaware of the UK’s demand until it was reported in the media.
Apple’s ADP system provides end-to-end encryption, meaning that even Apple cannot access stored data. Unlike the company’s standard iCloud service, which can be decrypted with a legal warrant, ADP ensures that only users have the key to their data. Complying with the UK’s demand would force Apple to undermine its own security framework.
US Lawmakers Demand Action Against UK’s Order
Wyden and Biggs have urged the Biden administration and Apple to push back against the UK’s demand, with Wyden stating bluntly: “The UK can go straight to hell with its secret demand.”
Gabbard warned that the UK’s actions might breach the 2019 US-UK Cloud Act agreement, which permits lawful data-sharing between the two countries but restricts foreign governments from accessing the data of US citizens without approval.
“I look forward to ensuring the UK government has taken necessary actions to protect the privacy of American citizens, consistent with the Cloud Act and other applicable laws,” she said.
Tech companies, including Apple and Meta (parent company of WhatsApp), have long opposed government-mandated encryption back doors, arguing that they compromise cybersecurity and expose users to hacking threats. Law enforcement agencies, however, contend that strong encryption hinders criminal investigations into terrorism, child abuse, and other serious crimes.
Apple reaffirmed its stance on encryption, stating, “We have never built a back door or master key to any of our products or services, and we never will.” The company expressed disappointment that UK customers would lose access to ADP, particularly amid the growing risks of cyber threats and data breaches.
