US Lawmakers Seek UK Briefing on Apple's Backdoor Order

• The lawmakers criticized the order's potential security risks, warning it could allow encrypted data exploitation by bad actors
• Apple has opposed the UK order and challenged it at the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal, maintaining it would never build backdoor access into its encrypted services
• Jordan and Mast emphasized the need for public transparency and a 'mature and informed public debate' on the UK government's actions

Summary: US Lawmakers Seek UK Briefing on Apple's Backdoor Order

U.S. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan and Foreign Affairs Chair Brian Mast have requested a briefing from the British government regarding its Technical Capability Notice (TCN) issued to Apple, which would require the tech giant to create backdoor access to encrypted user data.

Key Details:

• The lawmakers submitted a joint letter dated February 25, 2026, to British Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood
• They requested the briefing occur no later than 10:00 a.m. ET on March 11, 2026
• Both lawmakers previously warned in 2023 that such orders could enable exploitation by cybercriminals and authoritarian governments

Company Position:

Apple has consistently opposed the order, stating it would never build backdoor access into its encrypted services or devices. The company has challenged the UK government's TCN at the UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal.

Market Implications:

This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between technology companies and governments over encryption and data privacy. The case affects Apple's security architecture and could set precedent for similar government requests globally. The lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency, stating there must be a "mature and informed public debate" with full understanding of UK government actions.

Context:

Jordan and Mast have previously criticized European Union actions against Big Tech companies. The UK issued the technical capability notice under its Investigatory Powers framework, which Britain retained after leaving the EU in 2020. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also commented on the matter in August 2025.