UK Withdraws Demand for “Backdoor” into Apple Encryption
In August 2025, the United Kingdom backed away from a controversial demand that Apple weaken its encryption to give government agencies access to protected user data. The request, made under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, called for Apple to build a hidden “backdoor” into iCloud. Such a move would have allowed authorities to bypass encryption and access personal information without users’ knowledge, raising major concerns about global data security.
The reversal came after months of discussions between U.S. and U.K. officials. American leaders argued that weakening Apple’s encryption would put the privacy and rights of U.S. citizens at risk. Following this pressure, the U.K. government withdrew its order, sparking cautious optimism among privacy advocates.
Digital rights groups welcomed the decision as a positive step but warned that the Investigatory Powers Act still gives the government the legal authority to demand backdoors in the future. Many are now calling for the law to be reformed to permanently remove these powers and ensure stronger protections for digital privacy.
Apple, anticipating the original demand earlier this year, had already disabled its Advanced Data Protection feature for iCloud in the U.K. This feature provided end-to-end encryption, ensuring only the user could unlock their data. Apple also challenged the order in court, arguing that creating a backdoor would undermine user security and erode trust.
While the U.K.’s decision is seen as a win for privacy, experts caution that it is only a temporary relief. Unless the law itself is changed, the possibility of renewed demands to weaken encryption still hangs over the future of digital security.
