UK has backed down on demand to access US Apple user data, spy chief says

The privacy row began when the UK issued a notice to Apple under the Investigatory Powers Act, which requires companies to assist law enforcement. Photograph: Edmond Terakopian/PA

The UK government has dropped its insistence that Apple allows law enforcement officials “backdoor” access to US customer data, Donald Trump’s spy chief, Tulsi Gabbard, says.

The US director of national intelligence posted the claim on X following a months-long dispute embroiling the iPhone manufacturer, the UK government and the US president. Trump had weighed in to accuse Britain of behaving like China, telling the prime minister, Keir Starmer: “You can’t do this”.