Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) have expressed concern over a recent directive from the United Kingdom’s Home Secretary, which reportedly mandates that Apple weaken the encryption of its iCloud backup service to facilitate government access. In a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, they warn that this order could jeopardize the privacy and security of American citizens.
\The lawmakers highlight that the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, often referred to as the “Snoopers’ Charter,” allows such directives without judicial approval. They emphasize that the order not only threatens the security of British citizens but also poses significant risks to Americans whose data may be stored in iCloud backups.
In the letter, Wyden and Biggs explain that the U.K.’s home secretary “”served Apple with a secret order last month, directing the company to weaken the security of its iCloud backup service to facilitate government spying.”
They went on to add, “Apple is reportedly gagged from acknowledging that it received such an order, and the company faces criminal penalties that prevent it from even confirming to the U.S. Congress the accuracy of these press reports.”
The letter urges Gabbard to demand that the UK rescind this order, stating, “The United States must not allow foreign governments to dictate the security standards of U.S. companies or compromise the privacy of our citizens.”
This development raises broader concerns about international data privacy and the potential for government overreach. The UK’s actions could set a precedent for other nations to demand similar access, potentially leading to a global erosion of digital privacy standards.
