UK may back down on demand for backdoor access to Apple users’ encrypted data

Apple has launched a legal challenge over the Home Office’s powers to demand backdoor access. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Pressure from Washington could lead the UK government to climb down on its demand that Apple provide British law enforcement agencies with backdoor access to encrypted customer data, it has been reported.

In January, the UK Home Office formally asked Apple to provide law enforcement agencies access to heavily encrypted data held on behalf of its customers. But the US company resisted and withdrew its advanced data protection service from the UK market. It argues privacy is one of its “core values”.