UK and Apple reach 'mutually beneficial' data understanding

THE UK government has reportedly retreated from its plans to compel Apple to disclose encrypted user data, as per the US intelligence chief under President Trump.

- Matt KEYNON

Tulsi Gabbard informed the Financial Times that the government has decided to relinquish its demands for a “back door” to data.

JD Vance, the US vice-president, is said to have stepped in to negotiate an exemption for the tech giant, which was facing an official directive under the Investigatory Powers Act to grant the UK access to iCloud user data.

A US official disclosed to the FT: “The vice-president negotiated a mutually beneficial understanding that the UK government will withdraw the current backdoor order to Apple.”