WASHINGTON — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has voiced deep concerns regarding reports alleging that the British government is demanding Apple grant access to cloud-stored data via backdoor means.
Responding in writing to U.S. lawmakers this week, Gabbard emphasized that such a request would violate the privacy rights of American citizens and posed significant issues about a foreign entity exerting pressure on a U.S.-based technology firm.
“This would be a clear and egregious violation of Americans’ privacy and civil liberties,” Gabbard communicated to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., who had separately raised their own concerns about the matter.
Last week, Apple revealed its decision to withdraw an advanced data security feature for users in Britain. According to reports, British security operatives secretly instructed the American company to create a backdoor entrance, enabling access to fully encrypted content, as cited by The Washington Post this month.
The feature in question, Advanced Data Protection, was introduced by Apple towards the close of 2022, offering its users the option to protect their iCloud files, photos, notes, and other data with comprehensive end-to-end encryption while stored on the cloud.
Gabbard has requested the leaders of the CIA and numerous other U.S. intelligence bodies to conduct a review of the British directive and expressed her intention to discuss the issue with her British counterparts. She highlighted that current agreements between the U.K. and the U.S. disallow either nation from seeking cloud data pertaining to the other country’s citizens or residents.
The controversy surrounding demands placed on Apple arises against a backdrop of apprehensions that President Donald Trump’s approach could potentially test the intelligence sharing bonds between America and its allies. British officials have so far declined to comment on the matter as reported.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii with a background in the military, initially raised eyebrows amongst security specialists on both sides of the Atlantic when chosen by Trump to oversee U.S. intelligence activities. Historically, she has criticized surveillance practices and shown support for government whistleblower Edward Snowden, as well as controversial stances on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
In her message to lawmakers, Gabbard expressed hope that Washington and London could collaboratively devise a solution that adequately balances security with civil liberties.
