Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., have raised concerns about the United Kingdom's reported order to Apple, demanding backdoor access to iCloud data, potentially jeopardizing Americans' privacy and security. The U.K.'s directive, issued under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, allegedly requires Apple to weaken encryption, granting the government broad access to encrypted files without judicial oversight.
Wyden and Biggs highlighted the risks of compromising user data, citing potential exploitation by foreign adversaries like China and Russia. They emphasized that any backdoor created for the U.K. market could impact American devices, posing significant threats to individuals and government agencies alike.
The lawmakers referenced recent Chinese hacking incidents, underscoring the dangers of surveillance vulnerabilities. They urged the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to take decisive action to safeguard American communications from such intrusive measures.
The letter also questioned the Trump administration's awareness of the U.K.'s order and its implications under the CLOUD Act. Wyden and Biggs called for transparency regarding foreign government demands that could compromise product security.
Gabbard, during her confirmation hearing, emphasized the risks associated with encryption backdoors, highlighting the potential erosion of civil liberties. The lawmakers urged Gabbard to confront the U.K. on its cybersecurity stance, warning of repercussions if the order is not rescinded.
Wyden and Biggs stressed the importance of trust in the U.S.-U.K. relationship, urging a reevaluation of cybersecurity arrangements if the U.K. persists in undermining American cybersecurity. They called for unclassified responses by March 3 to address the concerns raised in their letter.
