Topics

US spy chief says UK has dropped its Apple backdoor demand

Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

Most Popular

Why Paradigm built a spreadsheet with an AI agent in every cell

HR giant Workday says hackers stole personal data in recent breach

How your solar rooftop became a national security issue

A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs

Co-founder of Elon Musk’s xAI departs the company

Google CEO adds a new calendar feature at Stripe co-founder’s request

NASA has sparked a race to develop the data pipeline to Mars

Latest

Amazon

Apps

Biotech & Health

Climate

Cloud Computing

Commerce

Crypto

Enterprise

EVs

Fintech

Fundraising

Gadgets

Gaming

Google

Government & Policy

Hardware

Instagram

Layoffs

Media & Entertainment

Meta

Microsoft

Privacy

Robotics

Security

Social

Space

Startups

TikTok

Transportation

Venture

Events

Startup Battlefield

StrictlyVC

Newsletters

Podcasts

Videos

Partner Content

TechCrunch Brand Studio

Crunchboard

US spy chief says UK has dropped its Apple backdoor demand Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai AM PDT · August 19, 2025 The U.K has dropped its demand for special access to Apple’s cloud systems, or a “backdoor,” following negotiations with the Trump administration, according to U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard.

“As a result, the U.K. has agreed to drop its mandate for Apple to provide a ‘back door’ that would have enabled access to the protected encrypted data of American citizens and encroached on our civil liberties,” Gabbard wrote in a post on X. She also claimed that she worked along President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the negotiations.

Over the past few months, I’ve been working closely with our partners in the UK, alongside and , to ensure Americans' private data remains private and our Constitutional rights and civil liberties are protected. As a result, the UK has agreed to drop its mandate for…

This is the latest (and unexpected) development in a months-long saga that saw the British government secretly demanding Apple grant its

The existence of the legal demand was first reported

Apple initially responded

In the meantime, Apple also reportedly challenged the backdoor mandate in court, a case that was initially secret but was then ruled to be held in public.

Apple and the U.K. Home Office, which initiated the demand on behalf of the British government, did not respond to requests for comment.

Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW Olivia Coleman, the press secretary of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, referred to a February letter to Sen. Wyden and Rep. Biggs.

Apple previously told TechCrunch that the company has “never built a backdoor or master key” to any of its products or services and it “never will.”

We’re always looking to evolve, and

Topics

Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai Senior

Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai is a Senior

You can contact or verify outreach from Lorenzo

October 27-29, 2025 San Francisco Put your brand in front of 10,000+ tech and VC leaders across all three days of Disrupt 2025. Amplify your reach, spark real connections, and lead the innovation charge. Secure your exhibit space before your competitor does.

Most Popular Why Paradigm built a spreadsheet with an AI agent in every cell Rebecca Szkutak

HR giant Workday says hackers stole personal data in recent breach Zack Whittaker

How your solar rooftop became a national security issue Connie Loizos

A comprehensive list of 2025 tech layoffs Cody Corrall Alyssa Stringer Kate Park

Co-founder of Elon Musk’s xAI departs the company Maxwell Zeff

Google CEO adds a new calendar feature at Stripe co-founder’s request Sarah Perez

NASA has sparked a race to develop the data pipeline to Mars Aria Alamalhodaei

X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunchStaffContact UsAdvertiseCrunchboard JobsSite Map Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyRSS Terms of UseCode of Conduct NeuralinkGoogle ChromeStubHubClaudeGPT-5Tech LayoffsChatGPT © 2025 TechCrunch Media LLC.