Finance
US lawmakers want UK briefing on backdoor order to Apple
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 25, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 25, 2026
Quick Summary
House chairs Jim Jordan and Brian Mast asked the UK to brief them on its order to Apple for backdoor access to encrypted data, citing security and legal risks, despite reports the UK later backed down.
US Lawmakers Seek UK Briefing on Apple 'Backdoor' Encryption Order
By Foo Yun Chee
Who requested the UK briefing?
UK Apple Backdoor Order and U.S. Oversight Response
BRUSSELS, Feb 25 (Reuters) - U.S. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast on Wednesday asked the British government to brief them on its order to Apple to create a back door to its encrypted user data so they could better understand the British move.
The two lawmakers last year warned that such an order could allow encrypted user data to be exploited by cyber criminals and authoritarian governments. Britain subsequently dropped its demand, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said in August.
Brexit note: Britain left the EU in 2020
EU context and transparency concerns
Jordan and Mast, who have previously criticised European Union actions against Big Tech, said the public should be informed of the facts of the case. Britain left the EU in 2020.
Lawmakers’ stated rationale
Public transparency and debate
"For there to be a 'mature and informed public debate,' it is imperative that the Committees fully understand the actions taken by the UK government with respect to the TCN issued to Apple," they wrote in a joint letter dated Wednesday to British interior minister Shabana Mahmood, seen by Reuters.
Briefing deadline and timing
"We respectfully ask that the Home Office and UK Embassy to the United States arrange for the briefing to occur as soon as possible but no later than 10:00 a.m. ET on March 11, 2026," they said.
What is a Technical Capability Notice (TCN)?
TCN refers to a technical capability notice issued by the British government to Apple.
Proceedings at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal
Apple’s stance and legal challenge
Apple, which has said it would never build such access into its encrypted services or devices, had challenged the order at the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
(Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by Rod Nickel)
Key Takeaways
- •US lawmakers requested a UK briefing on a Technical Capability Notice (TCN) tied to Apple’s encrypted iCloud data.
- •They warn a mandated backdoor could expose users to cybercrime and abuse by authoritarian regimes.
- •DNI Tulsi Gabbard said in August 2025 that Britain dropped the mandate, but lawmakers still seek details.
- •Apple has challenged the TCN at the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal and maintains it will never build a backdoor.
- •The case spotlights tensions between privacy rights, national security, and cross-border data-sharing rules like the CLOUD Act.
Frequently Asked Questions about US lawmakers want UK briefing on backdoor order to Apple
1What is the main topic?
US lawmakers are seeking a UK briefing on a Technical Capability Notice to Apple that would have enabled backdoor access to encrypted iCloud data.
2What is a Technical Capability Notice (TCN)?
A TCN is an order under the UK Investigatory Powers Act requiring companies to provide technical assistance, which can include access to encrypted data.
3Did the UK drop the demand for a backdoor?
According to DNI Tulsi Gabbard in August 2025, the UK withdrew the mandate, but US lawmakers still want a full briefing to verify details and implications.
