US Intelligence Chief Investigates UK's Apple Backdoor Demand

Tulsi Gabbard, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has criticized the UK government's request for Apple to create a backdoor into its iCloud encryption, calling it a serious violation of American privacy. This demand, issued under the UK's Investigatory Powers Act, could potentially allow British authorities access to encrypted data belonging to U.S. citizens, leading Apple to withdraw its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for UK users. Gabbard expressed concern over foreign governments mandating backdoors, emphasizing the cybersecurity risks and potential exploitation by hackers. She is coordinating with U.S. intelligence agencies to assess whether the UK's actions breach the U.S.-UK CLOUD Act agreement, which restricts such demands. Cybersecurity experts echo these concerns, referencing past conflicts over encryption between tech companies and governments. The situation marks a significant tension point in U.S.-UK relations regarding digital privacy and security.