Trump Blasts UK Over ICloud Spying Demand, Likens It To China
President Donald Trump condemned the United Kingdom’s efforts to weaken Apple’s iCloud encryption, comparing the move to surveillance tactics used by Communist China. During a discussion with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Trump rejected the UK’s demand, stating, “That’s something, you know, that you hear about with China.”
The British government issued a “technical capability notice” under its Investigatory Powers Act, ordering Apple to create a backdoor for law enforcement to access encrypted iCloud data. Instead of complying, Apple opted to remove its Advanced Data Protection feature for U.K. users. The company’s decision follows growing concerns over increasing government surveillance powers in Britain.
U.S. officials are also alarmed by the implications of Britain’s demand. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called it an “egregious violation” of privacy, confirming that legal and intelligence teams are investigating how it might affect Americans. The U.K. law would allow access to encrypted information globally, raising fears of widespread surveillance beyond British borders.
The U.K.’s push for expanded surveillance powers coincides with a broader crackdown on free expression. Authorities have arrested individuals for online speech, including those supporting anti-mass migration demonstrations. British police have also detained citizens for silently praying near abortion clinics, sparking further concerns about religious liberty.
Critics have labeled the U.K.’s surveillance expansion as a “Snooper’s Charter,” warning that it undermines privacy and security. The U.K. government, however, insists that the powers are necessary for combatting terrorism and child exploitation, despite growing resistance from civil liberties groups and major tech companies.
While Trump’s meeting with Starmer was reportedly amicable overall, the dispute over digital privacy highlights a significant divide between the two nations. Meanwhile, the U.K. continues to face pushback over its aggressive surveillance policies, with Apple’s refusal marking a rare instance of a tech giant standing firm against government pressure.
