Prime Highlights

The UK has dropped its demand for Apple to create a back door into encrypted systems, ending a months-long privacy dispute with the US.

Privacy advocates welcomed the reversal as a major victory for digital rights and user security.

Key Highlights

Apple had earlier suspended its Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK, reportedly due to secret government orders under the Investigatory Powers Act.

The UK government said it will maintain strong security arrangements with the US while continuing efforts.

Key Background:

The United Kingdom has dropped its demand that Apple create a “back door” into its encrypted systems, bringing an end to a months-long dispute with the United States over user privacy. Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, confirmed the development on Monday, saying that London agreed to withdraw its requirement for Apple to provide UK authorities access to American citizens’ encrypted data.

She described the reversal as the outcome of sustained discussions between the two governments to ensure that the privacy of Americans is protected and that constitutional rights and civil liberties remain intact.

The UK government declined to comment on the specifics of the decision, not addressing operational matters. However, it stressed that Britain and the US share long-standing security and intelligence arrangements that already include safeguards for privacy. A government spokesperson stated that the UK would continue to strengthen these arrangements while maintaining a robust security framework to pursue terrorists and serious criminals, emphasizing that all necessary actions would be taken to keep citizens safe.

Apple has not yet commented on the development. Earlier this year, the company announced it could no longer offer its Advanced Data Protection feature, the highest level of security for iCloud data, to users in the UK. The move was widely speculated to be linked to secret government orders issued under the Investigatory Powers Act, which gives authorities the power to compel companies to weaken encryption through what are known as technical capability notices.

Firms receiving such notices are legally bound to secrecy unless granted permission to disclose them. With the government now dropping its demand, it remains uncertain whether Apple will reinstate the security feature for UK customers.
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