Tulsi Gabbard, as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, successfully pressured the United Kingdom to drop its mandate requiring Apple to create a government 'backdoor' for accessing encrypted user data, including that of American citizens.
True
DNI Tulsi Gabbard just succeeded in pressuring the United Kingdom to remove its mandate for Apple to have a “back door” for the government on all users - including Americans.
US national security director condemns UK request for Apple data ‘backdoor’ - US news | The Guardian
Source: theguardian.com
At a glance
Verified August 19, 2025Key Evidence
Tulsi Gabbard announced the UK dropped its demand for Apple to create a backdoor to access encrypted data of American citizens.
economictimes.indiatimes.comeconomictimes.indiatimes.comUS spy chief Tulsi Gabbard says UK agreed to drop 'backdoor' mandate for Apple
The UK’s order was criticized for enabling potential exploitation by cybercriminals and authoritarian governments.
reuters.comreuters.comUS spy chief Gabbard says UK agreed to drop 'backdoor' mandate for Apple
The U.S.-UK Cloud Act agreement prohibits such demands on data of U.S. Residents, which Gabbard cited in her condemnation.
theguardian.comtheguardian.comUS national security director condemns UK request for Apple data ‘backdoor’
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Multiple reputable sources confirm that Tulsi Gabbard, serving as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence in 2025, announced that the UK government agreed to rescind its mandate compelling Apple to build a 'backdoor' into its encrypted devices. This backdoor would have allowed government agencies to access encrypted data of users, including Americans, raising significant privacy and security concerns.
The UK had initially mandated Apple to create this backdoor, which was widely criticized for potentially undermining encryption security and exposing users to risks from cybercriminals and authoritarian misuse.
Gabbard publicly condemned the UK’s demand, citing existing bilateral agreements such as the Cloud Act that prohibit such unilateral data access demands on U.S. Residents.
Following diplomatic and intelligence-level pressure led by Gabbard, the UK agreed to drop this mandate, thereby protecting encrypted data privacy for Apple users in both countries.
This development was reported by multiple major news outlets including The Economic Times, Reuters, The Guardian, The Hindu, and others in early to mid-2025.
This outcome reflects ongoing international tensions around encryption, privacy rights, and government surveillance mandates. It also highlights Gabbard’s role in defending U.S. Citizens’ digital privacy against foreign government overreach.
Primary trail
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