Two senior U.S. lawmakers have formally requested a briefing from the British government regarding a previous order that would have required Apple to create access to encrypted user data.
The request was sent by the chairs of the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees, who are seeking clarification on a technical directive reportedly issued by UK authorities. The order, known as a technical capability notice, would have required Apple to enable lawful access to encrypted information.
Lawmakers have expressed concern that such measures could introduce security vulnerabilities, potentially exposing sensitive data to misuse. The issue has drawn broader attention to the balance between national security objectives and digital privacy protections.
According to U.S. intelligence officials, the UK has since withdrawn the request. However, American policymakers are seeking further details to better understand the implications of the move and its potential impact on international cybersecurity standards.
Apple has consistently stated it would not create backdoor access to its encryption systems and previously challenged the directive through legal channels in the United Kingdom.
The requested briefing is expected to support ongoing discussions about privacy, data protection, and cooperation between allied governments in addressing emerging technological risks.
