The British government is preparing to retreat from its demand that Apple create a backdoor into encrypted iCloud data, senior officials told the Financial Times. The possible U-turn follows intense pressure from Washington, where top members of the Trump administration warned that the move would jeopardise bilateral technology and data agreements. London’s Home Office issued a secret notice in January 2025, using powers under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 to compel Apple to give law-enforcement agencies worldwide access to users’ backups. In response, Apple withdrew its end-to-end-encryption feature, known as Advanced Data Protection, from the UK and filed a challenge at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. Meta-owned WhatsApp later asked to submit evidence supporting Apple’s case. US officials—including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—argued that the order would violate Americans’ privacy rights and breach the 2019 Cloud Act data-sharing treaty. British officials now fear the standoff could scupper planned cooperation with Washington on artificial-intelligence regulation and other tech initiatives. While sources say the Home Office is looking for a face-saving exit, the government has not formally withdrawn the notice, and legal proceedings continue. Any climb-down would mark a significant setback for efforts in Westminster to force access to encrypted communications.