US lawmakers Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) have urged the newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to take a strong stance against a reported UK government demand for Apple to create a backdoor into iCloud’s encryption. In a letter to Gabbard, Wyden and Biggs highlighted the potential risks of weakening iCloud security, warning that any backdoor could compromise the safety of not only US citizens’ data but also sensitive government information. The lawmakers emphasized that Apple does not create market-specific versions of its encryption software, meaning any forced backdoor would have a global impact.
The request from the UK government, reportedly backed by powers under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 (Snooper’s Charter), would allow UK law enforcement and intelligence agencies access to encrypted iCloud data. While the UK government has not confirmed the backdoor request, the implications are significant, as it could set a precedent that undermines the security of digital services worldwide. Wyden and Biggs noted that weakening encryption would make sensitive data more vulnerable to theft, citing the 2023 hack of Microsoft systems, which exposed government emails to cybercriminals affiliated with the Chinese government.
The lawmakers also drew attention to the broader consequences of this backdoor demand, arguing that it could undo years of US efforts to strengthen encryption standards.
They referred to previous statements by Gabbard, who warned that backdoors undermine civil liberties and increase security risks, urging her to take action in line with her past positions. Wyden and Biggs pushed Gabbard to forcefully urge the UK to abandon its request, stressing that failure to do so would result in significant consequences for the US-UK relationship, especially in terms of cybersecurity and intelligence sharing.
Finally, the lawmakers pressed for transparency regarding whether the Trump administration had prior knowledge of the UK’s move and why it did not inform Congress. They set a deadline of March 3 for Gabbard to respond to these questions, further underlining the urgency of the situation. The letter underscores the importance of maintaining trust between the US and its allies, especially when it comes to the protection of sensitive data and the security of digital infrastructures.
