UK Government “Naive” to Expect Secret Apple Backdoor Deal, Says Ex-GCHQ Cyber Chief
The UK government showed “naive” thinking by demanding Apple create encryption backdoors for surveillance while expecting the request to stay secret, according to Ciaran Martin, former head of GCHQ’s cybersecurity division.
The Clash Over Encryption
As first CEO of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Martin knows firsthand the tension between privacy and security. His comments follow reports that Britain invoked the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 to secretly order Apple to provide access to encrypted customer data globally—a move he calls unrealistic.
“Expecting this kind of demand against a company like Apple to remain confidential was probably naive,” Martin told New Scientist.
Key Developments:
- Apple removed its Advanced Data Protection service for new UK users in February
- The company publicly reiterated it “never has and never will” build backdoors
- A secret legal battle is reportedly underway over the order
Why Governments Keep Losing This Fight
Martin explains the core dilemma:
- Tech giants won’t budge – Firms like Apple view encryption as a fundamental right
- Secrets leak – High-profile demands inevitably become public
- Global scale fails – US tech firms resist foreign government mandates
“That ship has sailed,” he says. “Governments need to accept uncrackable encryption is permanent.”
When Compromises Did Work
Martin recalls successful negotiations with smaller tech firms during his GCHQ tenure:
- Niche apps used predominantly by criminals were modified
- Specialist providers complied when features enabled harm
- “You just say, ‘Come on, you can’t do this’”
But with Apple? “Compelling the West Coast titans isn’t feasible long-term.”
The Bigger Picture
This standoff reflects a global pattern:
- Australia’s 2018 law demanding backdoors went largely ignored
- The EU’s “Chat Control” proposal faces industry resistance
- FBI’s 2016 iPhone unlock fight ended in a costly workaround
Expert Take:
“These battles won’t kill encryption—they’ll just push users toward more secure tools,” says Meredith Whittaker, Signal president.
What’s Next?
- More covert legal pressure on tech firms
- Rising use of alternative encrypted apps (Signal, ProtonMail)
- Potential new laws targeting device-level encryption
Final Thought:
As Martin puts it: “Governments must adapt—because tech giants won’t.”