Trump Compares UK’s Data Demands to Chinese Surveillance Practices

President Trump likened the UK’s demand for Apple user data to China’s monitoring tactics, expressing concerns during a conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He indicated that such requests should not be considered acceptable in democracies. Apple recently ended an encryption feature for UK users amid these governmental pressures. The U.S. is examining whether UK actions violate the CLOUD Act regarding data access of U.S. citizens.

During a recent interview with The Spectator, U.S. President Donald Trump made a striking comparison between the UK government’s request for user data from Apple and the practices typically associated with China. He relayed his conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where he expressed that allowing such access would be unacceptable. Their meeting at the White House marked the first discussion following Trump’s re-election, covering topics like Ukraine and potential trade agreements.

Trump emphasized the severity of the UK’s demands, suggesting that they echo the intrusive surveillance often seen in China, implying that such requests should not be entertained by Western democracies. The UK government and Apple have yet to issue statements regarding the situation. Recently, Apple ceased a significant encryption service for UK customers as a direct response to governmental pressures for data access.

In a letter dated February 25 to two American lawmakers, Tulsi Gabbard, who serves as the U.S. director of national intelligence, indicated that the U.S. is investigating potential violations of the CLOUD Act pertaining to the UK government’s data requests involving U.S. citizens. The CLOUD Act prohibits any such demands from either country affecting citizens of the other. The Spectator, a notable publication within Conservative circles, has undergone recent ownership changes under hedge fund manager Paul Marshall.

President Trump’s remarks underscore the tensions surrounding governmental data access and privacy rights, highlighting parallels between potentially overreaching UK policies and the surveillance practices of authoritarian regimes. As investigations into these actions unfold, the implications for international data privacy and security are significant. Apple’s responsive measures demonstrate the growing friction between tech companies and government authorities regarding user privacy.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com