UK Drops Apple ‘Back Door’ Requirement, Says US Spy Chief
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claims that the change protects the privacy of US users.
Apple will no longer be required to assist the United Kingdom's government with access to encrypted data belonging to American residents, according to Washington's spy chief, bringing an end to a months-long transatlantic privacy spat.
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence for the United States, said on Monday that London decided to abandon its request for Apple to give a "back door" that would have allowed access to US users' protected data and "encroached on our civil liberties".
Gabbard said the reversal was the result of months of discussion with the UK to "ensure Americans' private data remains private and our constitutional rights and civil liberties are protected".
Apple will no longer be required to assist the United Kingdom's government with access to encrypted data belonging to American residents, according to Washington's spy chief, bringing an end to a months-long transatlantic privacy spat.
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence for the United States, said on Monday that London decided to abandon its request for Apple to give a "back door" that would have allowed access to US users' protected data and "encroached on our civil liberties".
Gabbard said the reversal was the result of months of discussion with the UK to "ensure Americans' private data remains private and our constitutional rights and civil liberties are protected".
The UK government declined to comment on operational concerns, but stated that London and Washington have long-standing joint security and intelligence agreements that include privacy safeguards.
"We will continue to build on those arrangements, and we will also continue to maintain a strong security framework to ensure that we can continue to pursue terrorists and serious criminals operating in the UK," according to a government official.
"We will always take all actions necessary at the domestic level to keep UK citizens safe."
A request for comment was not responded to quickly by Apple.
The UK's move away from encryption comes after Apple stated in February that it would no longer be able to offer enhanced data protection, its most advanced security feature, in the country.
"We will continue to build on those arrangements, and we will also continue to maintain a strong security framework to ensure that we can continue to pursue terrorists and serious criminals operating in the UK," according to a government official.
"We will always take all actions necessary at the domestic level to keep UK citizens safe."
A request for comment was not responded to quickly by Apple.
The UK's move away from encryption comes after Apple stated in February that it would no longer be able to offer enhanced data protection, its most advanced security feature, in the country.
While Apple did not cite a justification for the change at the time, the statement came after The Washington Post revealed that UK security officials had covertly forced the California-based tech company to grant blanket access to cloud data belonging to customers worldwide.
Under the UK's Investigatory Powers Act, authorities can issue a "technical capability notice" requiring firms to deactivate encryption.
Firms that get a notice are legally obligated to keep the order confidential unless the government grants them authorization.
It was unclear whether Apple would resume offering sophisticated data protection in the UK.
Under the UK's Investigatory Powers Act, authorities can issue a "technical capability notice" requiring firms to deactivate encryption.
Firms that get a notice are legally obligated to keep the order confidential unless the government grants them authorization.
It was unclear whether Apple would resume offering sophisticated data protection in the UK.
Apple, like other digital behemoths, has touted its use of end-to-end encryption as evidence of its unwavering devotion to its customers' privacy.
End-to-end encryption scrambles data, making it unreadable to third parties such as law enforcement and IT companies.
Governments around the world have undertaken various attempts to undermine or bypass encryption, claiming that it protects serious offenders from prosecution.
Privacy experts and civil liberties organizations have decried efforts to undermine the technology, claiming that they treat innocent people as possible criminals and endanger the privacy and security of all users.
John Pane, chairman of the advocacy group Electronic Frontiers Australia, hailed the UK's apparent reversal as a victory for digital rights and safety.
End-to-end encryption scrambles data, making it unreadable to third parties such as law enforcement and IT companies.
Governments around the world have undertaken various attempts to undermine or bypass encryption, claiming that it protects serious offenders from prosecution.
Privacy experts and civil liberties organizations have decried efforts to undermine the technology, claiming that they treat innocent people as possible criminals and endanger the privacy and security of all users.
John Pane, chairman of the advocacy group Electronic Frontiers Australia, hailed the UK's apparent reversal as a victory for digital rights and safety.
"Were Apple to create a backdoor to its encrypted user data it would create a significant risk which could be exploited by cybercriminals and authoritarian governments," Pane told the news agency Al Jazeera.
"EFA believes that access to encryption technologies is critical for individuals and groups to protect the security and privacy of their information, as well as for the existence of the digital economy." The freedom to use encrypted communications must be codified into law."
Rebecca Vincent, interim director of civil rights charity Big Brother Watch, hailed the measure but cautioned that it only addressed "a symptom rather than the underlying problem."
"EFA believes that access to encryption technologies is critical for individuals and groups to protect the security and privacy of their information, as well as for the existence of the digital economy." The freedom to use encrypted communications must be codified into law."
Rebecca Vincent, interim director of civil rights charity Big Brother Watch, hailed the measure but cautioned that it only addressed "a symptom rather than the underlying problem."
"The mass surveillance powers created through the Investigatory Powers Act remain a significant threat to privacy rights in the UK," Vincent explained to Al Jazeera.
"This draconian law is unfit for purpose and should be amended to protect privacy rights without delay."
"This draconian law is unfit for purpose and should be amended to protect privacy rights without delay."