We reported on the UK’s demand to access Apple users’ global data back in March. Now, it seems that the demand has been rescinded, though it’s not 100% certain.
The BBC reports that Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence, said the UK had agreed to withdraw the demand. The demand reportedly focused on Apple’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature, which allows iPhone users to add end-to-end encryption to their cloud storage so nobody else can access it.
Apple responded to the UK’s notice by withdrawing ADP from the UK and beginning a legal challenge against it. The case was due to be heard at a tribunal in early 2026, but it’s unclear if it will still proceed.
The demand is a monumental ask of Apple, which has always promised its users that it will never build an encryption backdoor or master key to access user data. Privacy advocates were understandably concerned that giving in to the demand would set a precedent and compromise online privacy globally.
Court filings reveal request may still be ongoing
While many celebrated the news that the UK is pulling back on the demand, new court filings have made some question whether it still might be ongoing. These court filings also reveal that they may have demanded access to more data than was initially believed.
An independent judicial body known as the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which takes complaints from those who believe they were the victims of unlawful action by a public body, was able to access the court filings.
The court filing states that the UK government gave Apple a technical capability notice (TCN) by the UK government at some point between late 2024 and early 2025. It reveals that it applies to data covered by ADP, but is not just limited to that. This means its demand to access data was not just focused on encrypted data.
The TCN also stated that Apple is obligated to provide a capability to disclose categories of data stored on a backup cloud and remove electronic protection when practicable.
The wording of the court filings doesn’t make it clear whether the TCN is still ongoing, so it remains to be seen whether or not Apple is off the hook.
Cora is a digital copywriter for SSLs.com. Having eight years of experience in online content creation, she is a versatile writer with an interest in a wide variety of topics, ranging from technology to marketing.