Jim Jordan Presses UK to Review Spy Powers Over Alleged Encryption Backdoors

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 11

A June 5 letter from House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan urged U.K. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to review secret surveillance orders that allegedly sought encryption backdoors from a U.S. company.
The concern centers on Technical Capability Notices under the Investigatory Powers Act, which critics say can force firms to weaken encryption while barring them from telling Congress without U.K. approval.
Andrew Badger, a former Pentagon official, said any ally-mandated backdoor would become a permanent vulnerability that China, Russia and Iran could exploit, citing Salt Typhoon's access to lawful-intercept systems.
Jordan also warned that blocking a U.S. company from speaking to Congress could strain Five Eyes trust, as Britain and the U.S. already face mounting Chinese cyberespionage risks.