US says UK has withdrawn demand to access encrypted data from Apple users

The UK has withdrawn its demand to access encrypted data from Apple users worldwide. Apple had been ordered to provide the data under the Investigatory Powers Act, but had refused due to concerns about privacy and security. Instead, Apple withdrew its Advanced Data Protection feature from the UK market and launched a legal challenge. Other tech companies, such as WhatsApp, have not received similar demands. The move has been criticized by privacy campaigners.

The UK has withdrawn its demand for Apple to provide access to encrypted data from its users worldwide. This move follows months of tension between the UK government and Apple, which had refused to comply with a secret order under the Investigatory Powers Act. Apple had withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature from the UK market and launched a legal challenge against the order [1].

The UK's decision to back down comes after intense lobbying from Apple and pressure from the Trump administration. The UK had initially demanded that Apple create a "back door" to access encrypted data, but this request was seen as a threat to American citizens' privacy and civil liberties [2].

Apple's stance on encryption has been resolute, as the company fears that creating such a back door could be abused. The company has not yet received any formal communication from either the US or UK governments regarding this matter [1].

This development has sparked criticism from privacy campaigners, who argue that the UK's move is a step backward in protecting user privacy. However, the UK Home Office has maintained that the decision is part of an ongoing effort to align with US policies and maintain data-sharing arrangements [3].

The UK's withdrawal of its demand also comes at a time when Apple is facing significant financial pressures due to tariffs. The company expects to absorb around $1.1 billion in tariff-related costs in the fourth quarter of 2025, highlighting the impact of geopolitical tensions on its operating margins [4].

References:
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdj2m3rrk74o
[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/technology/britain-apple-back-door.html
[3] https://www.cryptopolitan.com/uk-drops-apple-encryption-demand/
[4] https://www.barchart.com/story/news/34221586/apple-expects-1-1-billion-tariff-hit-in-4th-quarter-after-800-million-q3-hit-ceo-tim-cook-warns-many-factors-that-could-change