Vitalik Buterin Urges Apple to Exit the UK Over Encryption Demands
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is calling on Apple to withdraw from the UK in response to the government's demand for unrestricted access to encrypted iCloud data worldwide. This request has raised serious privacy concerns, with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) warning that such a move is “dangerous.”
Buterin insists that Apple should prioritize encryption over compliance, even pledging to buy another Apple device if the company takes a stand. This isn’t his first time addressing Apple’s encryption policies—back in 2022, he praised the company for introducing end-to-end encryption for iCloud backups, calling it a positive step.
Apple has long resisted government pressure to weaken its encryption and has remained a strong advocate for user privacy. However, the latest UK demands could challenge its long-standing commitment.