UK seeks to ease tensions with US after Apple asked to open encryption

Britain's controversial demand for Apple has prompted a fierce response from the US, pushing the two countries into tension over data encryption as London prioritizes its digital cooperation strategy.

According to a VNA reporter in London, the British government is seeking to resolve tensions with the administration of US President Donald Trump, regarding the request to force Apple to provide access to encrypted user data - a controversial move that has met with strong reactions from Washington.

The UK Home Office , which asked the tech giant to open access to its most secure cloud storage system in January, is likely to back down under pressure from top US leaders, including Vice President JD Vance, sources familiar with the matter said.

The UK’s demand that Apple create a “backdoor” to access user data – effectively breaking end-to-end encryption – has raised concerns in the US, where the Trump administration sees it as a “red line” in its policy of protecting tech giants.

One of the big challenges for technology partnerships is encryption, while the US does not want anyone interfering with its technology companies, a British official said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government’s trade strategy is currently focused on digital areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cross-border data cooperation, but the Apple case risks undermining bilateral technology deals with the US.

Apple responded by pulling its most secure cloud storage service from the UK market in February, and filing a complaint with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal - which considers complaints related to the activities of British security agencies.

Under the UK's controversial Investigatory Powers Act, the Home Office has the power to issue “technical capability notices” asking tech companies to assist law enforcement in serious cases.

Under the terms of the act, recipients of such notices may not discuss the matter publicly, even with customers affected by the order, unless authorized by the Secretary of the Interior.

Meanwhile, the Home Office continues to pursue its case with Apple in court, with its lawyers discussing the next legal steps this month, reflecting divisions within the government over how to proceed.

In previous statements, the Home Office has insisted that the UK has “robust safeguards and independent oversight to protect privacy,” and that encryption powers “are only used in exceptional circumstances, in relation to the most serious crimes.”

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/anh-tim-cach-ha-nhiet-cang-thang-voi-my-sau-vu-yeu-cau-apple-mo-ma-hoa-post1050934.vnp