U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that Britain has backed away from requiring Apple to create a "backdoor" that would allow access to users' encrypted iCloud data. A backdoor is a secret means of bypassing security systems, often created for maintenance, but can be exploited for malicious purposes. Gabbard explained that she worked with partners in Britain along with US President Donald Trump and his vice president to preserve the privacy of Americans' data and protect civil liberties. The decision came after widespread controversy over a secret British order issued last January against Apple.
Apple responded to the previous British decision by stopping new users from signing up for its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) service in Britain and appealed the measure, later gaining the right to discuss the case in public. As U.S. pressure mounted, Washington argued that the British move would violate the bilateral "Cloud Act" agreement that prevents the two countries from requesting each other's citizens' data, prompting London to backtrack. Despite the announcement that the decision has been reversed, questions remain as to whether Apple will reintroduce AES in Britain or enter new negotiations to avoid a legal conflict.
Britain backs down... and Apple wins a secret privacy battle
