US Lawmakers Urge Intelligence Chief to Fight UK iCloud Backdoor Order

[MacRumors]

Members of key congressional oversight committees have called on the United States' new top intelligence director to pressure the United Kingdom to withdraw its controversial demand for Apple to create a backdoor into encrypted user data stored in iCloud, according to The Washington Post.

Last week The Post revealed that a secret UK order, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act last month, demanded Apple to provide access to data protected by its Advanced Data Protection feature, which offers end-to-end encryption for iCloud storage. The mandate would apply globally, potentially affecting users worldwide, including Americans.

But in a letter sent Thursday to national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard, senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) warned that the British order poses significant risks to Americans' privacy and security. The bipartisan pair suggested that if the UK doesn't back down, the US should consider limiting intelligence sharing and cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries.

"If Apple is forced to build a backdoor in its products, that backdoor will end up in Americans' phones, tablets, and computers," the lawmakers wrote, going on to express concerns about the security of sensitive data stored by government agencies on Apple devices.

The legislators also pointed to recent Chinese hacking campaigns as evidence that backdoors intended for law enforcement could be exploited by malicious actors. They referenced the "Salt Typhoon" attacks, which targeted phone networks by exploiting systems designed for law enforcement surveillance.

"The US government must not permit what is effectively a foreign cyberattack waged through political means," the lawmakers wrote. "If the UK does not immediately reverse this dangerous effort, we urge you to reevaluate US-UK cybersecurity arrangements and programs as well as US intelligence sharing with the UK."

• Could Apple Pull iCloud Services From the UK Market?

Apple has long opposed the UK's plans to demand access to iCloud encrypted content, or indeed any form of backdoor in its encrypted services. By contrast, US law enforcement has historically resisted end-to-end encryption, but recent major cyber attacks have led to increased support for stronger security measures.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: US Lawmakers Urge Intelligence Chief to Fight UK iCloud Backdoor Order

 

[ShivneelSingh]

I wonder if Android devices have back doors 🤔

 

[Mr_Ed]

And so it begins . . . .

Now let’s see if it actually goes anywhere when they are talking about something Apple is not supposed to acknowledge at risk of breaking UK regulations.

 

[ghostface147]

Pull the hardware and don’t update the software.

 

[contacos]

Ironically this hardly made the news I have read here in the EU last week but hey, at least we got cookie banners protecting us right

 

[icanhazmac]

It won't be pleasant for the consumers, but if push comes to shove just pull iCloud services. Lawmakers will quickly find out how annoyed the people can get.

 

[Heelpir8]

I wonder if Android devices have back doors 🤔

No need for any.

 

[Ctrlos]

I wonder if Android devices have back doors 🤔

Normally boarded up with a few broken windows.

 

[Zest28]

Why in the hell should UK have access to my data? I don't fall under any UK jurisdiction so this is BS.

 

[Realityck]

Finally we are getting seriously about other governments telling what the tech industry what to do.

 

[Ctrlos]

Ironically this hardly made the news I have read here in the EU last week but hey, at least we got cookie banners protecting us right

The EU only mandated transparency; websites put up the request to follow you.

It was however surprising not to see it mentioned in any of the UK papers. I would have thought such an affront to civil liberties would be front page fodder for the Guardian.

 

[smeagol]

Classic government overreach. Law enforcement is too lazy to investigate criminals the old fashion way, so they're pushing for collective punishment. All law abiding citizens are guilty until proven innocent.

 

[bcomer]

I can see the Americans asking for this given the current environment. The high tech companys are really kissing the government ass these days. There is most likely one already in place.

I am glad to be living in Canada.

 

[mike090910]

That's ok, The US President will rename the UK to United America.

 

[Realityck]

Classic government overreach. Law enforcement is too lazy to investigate criminals the old fashion way, so they're pushing for collective punishment. All law abiding citizens are guilty until proven innocent.

It’s the same rationale, make it easy to backdoor phones for investigators. Never mind any consumer protection.

 

[PsykX]

I wonder if Android devices have back doors 🤔

Most devices do, and implementing a backdoor is the best way to decrease your security radically.
I really hope this thing won't happen.

 

[Dr McKay]

I can see the Americans asking for this given the current environment. The high tech companys are really kissing the government ass these days. There is most likely one already in place.

I am glad to be living in Canada.

If this succeeds it’ll be like a domino effect of other countries demanding the same, even if it fails I’m sure the UK won’t be the last to demand this.

 

[lenningj]

threaten tariffs, starmer will instantly cave in. fair majority want him 6ft under already, the damage done so far to the country by labour

 

[NMBob]

At the very least Apple should immediately brick UK phones and cease operations in the UK until the matter is resolved.

 

[Expos of 1969]

The EU only mandated transparency; websites put up the request to follow you.

It was however surprising not to see it mentioned in any of the UK papers. I would have thought such an affront to civil liberties would be front page fodder for the Guardian.

Feb. 7 article...

UK demands ability to access Apple users’ encrypted data

Expert says government has ‘lit the blue touch paper on a truly enormous fight’ as it challenges firm’s privacy stance

www.theguardian.com

 

[obamtl]

Pull the hardware and don’t update the software.

I'm sure Apple would prefer to find other solutions, rather than the metaphorical nuclear option. The UK is the world's 6th largest economy, and Apple has an absolutely dominant market share in the key market segments, including a greater than 50% market share for smartphones!

 

[nt5672]

What Apple should do is announce that because of risks of this UK requirement, that Apple will be deprecating all Apple services (iCloud) in the UK and that that no new users will be allowed. Furthermore that existing users can expect to have renewals disabled in the future, depending on the specifics of this requirement. In addition, Apple may have to stop Apple sales in the UK.

Then, Apple should ask the UK government to publicly confirm that Android and others already have this functionality because if not, then it is unfair to Apple.

Then get in bed with Trump and let his big stick go to work.

 

[clayj]

Apple needs to tell the UK to pound sand and that if they persist in their demands, Apple will withdraw from the UK and shut down all Apple services in the UK -- forever.

 

[WilliApple]

Pull out of UK!
I usually don’t agree with that, but a backdoor for my data is something I do not want as an iCloud+ customer.

 

[surferfb]

Excellent. Keep the pressure up.