US Probes UK's Apple Encryption Demand for Possible Treaty Violation

[MacRumors]

U.S. officials are looking at whether the United Kingdom violated a bilateral agreement by demanding Apple create a "backdoor" to access end-to-end encrypted iCloud data, according to a letter from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard (via Reuters).

The investigation comes after Apple's recent decision to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection feature from the UK after the British government reportedly issued a secret order requiring Apple to provide access to encrypted user data globally.

• Apple's Data Encryption Changes in the UK Explained

In a February 25 letter to Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, Gabbard stated that her legal team is reviewing whether the U.K.'s demands violated the CLOUD Act, which prohibits either country from issuing demands for the other's citizens' data. Gabbard said she was not made aware of the U.K. order prior to it being reported in the media.

"Upon initial review of the U.S. and U.K. bilateral CLOUD Act Agreement, the United Kingdom may not issue demands for data of U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents, nor is it authorized to demand the data of persons located inside the United States," Gabbard wrote.

The CLOUD Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act) was designed to regulate how governments can request data across borders while protecting citizens' privacy rights.

Apple introduced end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups in 2022, meaning only users have the keys to access their data. The company has historically opposed creating encryption backdoors, arguing they inevitably compromise security for all users.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has consistently insisted that providing backdoor access past its encryption for authorities would open the door for "bad guys" to gain access to its users' data. Cybersecurity experts agree that any government backdoor would eventually be discovered and exploited by malicious actors.

• How to Enable Advanced Data Protection

U.S. agencies including the FBI and CISA, the U.S. cyber defense agency, recently advocated for increased use of encryption to protect against cyber threats from the likes of China. In December, the agencies jointly advised Americans to "ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible" as a countermeasure against foreign cyber campaigns.

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 Probes UK's Apple Encryption Demand for Possible Treaty Violation

 

[senttoschool]

This is why Tim Cook has been cozying up to Donald and donated to his inauguration.

Biden's team was anti-Apple and anti-big tech all the way. They wouldn't/didn't do anything to protect Apple against EU.

This isn't a political statement. Just an observation.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

So disappointed Apple didn't simply pull out of the UK market. Yes they did the same in China already, but in the UK is different imo as privacy is non existent in China while in the West people do want it

 

[JuicyGoomba]

For those out of the loop, this act was created by the previous Conservative government who were happily taking payments from Putin.

The reason the current government acted on it is because it's in law. Tories did it cause they wanted control, Labour are doing it cause they have to.

I fully agree that Apple should just threaten to pull out of the UK market and watch on as parliament go into panic mode and amend the ridiculous law.

 

[Squuiid]

Good. Let’s hope this results in a UK Government U-turn and ADP reinstated. And more people using it as a result of the feature’s publicity.

 

[brofkand]

Bravo, Director Gabbard.

 

[definitive]

So disappointed Apple didn't simply pull out of the UK market. Yes they did the same in China already, but in the UK is different imo as privacy is non existent in China while in the West people do want it

uk is no different. they arrest people for voicing unpopular opinions online, so it's not shocking that they'd do something like this.

 

[Realityck]

Glad to see this looked at as a security violation of existing privacy requirements between countries.

 

[randomgeeza]

uk is no different. they arrest people for voicing unpopular opinions online, so it's not shocking that they'd do something like this.

What an idiotic statement...

 

[DougieS]

This is getting interesting. Brb, heading shop for more popcorn!

 

[gigapocket1]

Hey Apple, now is the time to sale an At Home self hosted iCloud storage NAS…

 

[Fuzzball84]

uk is no different. they arrest people for voicing unpopular opinions online, so it's not shocking that they'd do something like this.

There is freedom of speech and then there is hate speech and speech designed to incite violence. The things in the media regarding UK being overrun by certain groups and freedom of speech being curtailed are just not the reality.

If you don’t believe, go and visit. Or any other similar country. I think you will be shocked by the portrayal in the media versus reality.

The same in the US. There is a range of people with different opinions and beliefs. A whole spectrum and only a minority are on the fringes.

Most people don’t want conflict, or violence, or think there are huge conspiracies against them. Who get on well with their neighbors and communities no matter what their beliefs or religion.

For what it’s worth I think this ADP feature will be reinstated by Apple once the UK government realizes it was an overstep into people’s privacy freedoms and general security and privacy of the web. There is still so much else they can do to catch criminals etc

 

[philosopherdog]

The US thinks they’re violating a trade agreement. That’s pretty rich. This government has 0 credibility.

 

[definitive]

What an idiotic statement...

watch out! your statement could be seen as "hate speech!"

 

[rgwebb]

Britain about to discover what the special relationship really means. LOL

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

In the US, we already have a backdoor allowing just about anyone to access our personal data -- it's called DOGE.
But hey, at least my iPhone photos are secure!

 

[obviouslogic]

So disappointed Apple didn't simply pull out of the UK market. Yes they did the same in China already, but in the UK is different imo as privacy is non existent in China while in the West people do want it

Abandoning your user base because their government is a piece of **** is not the answer. Turning an unreasonable private request into public spectacle will be much more affective.

 

[rgwebb]

Abandoning your user base because their government is a piece of **** is not the answer. Turning an unreasonable private request into public spectacle will be much more affective.

Apple leaving UK is the last option of many and I think Cook has aptly played the political situation such that the United States government is just going to lean on them on Apple's behalf. This will get the job done well before they get to an exit from the UK.

 

[RemedyRabbit]

uk is no different. they arrest people for voicing unpopular opinions online, so it's not shocking that they'd do something like this.

What unpopular opinions might those be?

In a free society should citizens who look different or express themselves differently to others be expected to live with constant abuse that makes their lives miserable?

In your view is living in constant fear of abuse an infringement on personal freedoms?

Should death threats and racism be discouraged? How might you discourage them without some form of punishment?

 

[Expos of 1969]

The reason the current government acted on it is because it's in law. Tories did it cause they wanted control, Labour are doing it cause they have to.

The government of the day has the power to make new laws, amend current laws and abolish current laws. So what do you mean Labour has to?

 

[Hopefully Smarter]

Beware of making judgments in a T**** (the convicted felon and sexual predator)®™ world.

Just because Gabbard makes this claim, this is a preadtory Justice dept, staffed by imbeciles, seeking revenge rather than serving the American people.

Gabbard in particular is very likely a Putin stooge.

 

[anthogag]

This is one more time Trump gets to say Europe has been very very bad to us. Xi is his buddy. Putin is his buddy. But our allies have been very very bad to us.

 

[JuicyGoomba]

uk is no different. they arrest people for voicing unpopular opinions online, so it's not shocking that they'd do something like this.

"Opinions" is a funny way of saying "hate crime"

 

[surferfb]

Not a fan of Gabbard at all, but bravo to her for doing the right thing here!

 

[gnipgnop]

Biden's team was anti-Apple and anti-big tech all the way. They wouldn't/didn't do anything to protect Apple against EU.

Apple consistently states that they are bound to follow the laws/regulations in the countries that they operate. And it isn't really just the EU or UK that make demands. You've also got China, Russia, India, Indonesia etc.