Apple Responds to the FBI's Order with an Open Letter.

[blaze756]

Apple's CEO Tim Cook has responded to the order from the FBI to help them unlock an iPhone recovered in the San Bernadino shootings. Another user, 13CA350, has posted about this, post linked below. Tim Cook talks mostly about data encryption and need for it. He also talks about what would happen if they were to create such a tool to unlock devices. Cook also talks about how data is handled by law enforcement and companies and there needs to be a public discussion about what is a risk.

 

People pour their personal data into their mobile devices and entrust it to Google, Apple, Microsoft and other companies. The need for a strong encryption and privacy is becoming more and more important with the amount of personal data we give to companies.

Quote

Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us.

 

OP: http://techcrunch.com/2016/02/17/tim-cook-apple-wont-create-backdoor-to-unlock-san-bernardino-attackers-iphone/

Full letter: https://www.apple.com/customer-letter/

 

 

[QueenDemetria]

I actually just read this, +1 Apple for holding your ground. I wonder how the FBI will respond lol.

[BradH]

i hope they dont give in if they do im taking a hammer to all my apple devices

[ShadowCaptain]

4 minutes ago, BradH said:

i hope they dont give in if they do im taking a hammer to all my apple devices

I doubt they will, unless they are legally forced to etc, in which case it would really show the US government to be the enemy so I doubt they would take this route

 

 

 

Well done Tim Cook for retaining your integrity and making it clear how important security and privacy is. Sure terrorism etc is bad, but removing privacy/security from everyone would be 200x worse

[C0LL0SS0S]

the longer you think about it the harder it gets to believe that we accept this kind of behavior, I really hope Apple can hold their promises

[MrDynamicMan]

Hmm. No sure where to stand. If they get a warrant...

[Paralectic]

Is it even possible to legally force a company to do such thing? 

Encryption wouldn't mean shit if this is possible.

 

NSA will do it all the time if they have access to it.

[leadeater]

1 minute ago, Paralectic said:

Is it even possible to legally force a company to do such thing? 

Encryption wouldn't mean shit if this is possible.

 

NSA will do it all the time if they have access to it.

Yes, it is no different to the court orders to shut down The Pirate Bay or hand over digital documents etc. The only defenses you can play is refusal or say it is impossible, put simply of course.

[BradH]

after 9 11 slap the word terrorist on to anything and no judge will deny you so if it isnt legal for them to do it yet it will be shortly

[captain cactus]

Again, the FBI is acting like a bunch of technology noobs. To refresh your mind, mister FBI, Apple CAN'T give you ANYTHING that's encrypted on the phone. Nothing. Zip. The data is encrypted and the key is locked in hardware behind the same encryption, so unless you want to physically open the device, rip the plastic off of the chip and then hit it with a laser or something to extract the key, good luck getting it. 

 

And don't start with "we need a backdoor for governments to go in". No. Just no. That defeats every single purpose of the word "encryption". If you do build in a backdoor, you're not the only people getting in. Everybody will get in.

 

I'm glad Apple is willing to show balls and more importantly, tell the world what's going on. 

[RedRound2]

Good on Apple for standing ground. But I feel like this is actually to be to make the whole backdoor situation worse if other countries starts imposing laws to avoid this kind of responses

[Serin]

Feels weird agreeing so strongly with Apple.

[suicidalfranco]

thumbs up!

[Paralectic]

49 minutes ago, Serin said:

Feels weird agreeing so strongly with Apple.

Now buy the gold Apple Watch or else...

[SirRoderick]

Nothing but respect for this response, I hope it serves to highlight the problems with this direction of legislation. The more attention drawn to it, the better.

[Bouzoo]

For once I have to agree with Apple, glad they're not giving in. Here is to hoping all big players follow their example, considering almost all governments are pushing all big players to remove encryption. 

[bigneo]

What is stopping FBI getting people to build this thing for them rather than asking Apple to do it? Ahh wait, they would break the law so they are asking Apple to build a tool so FBI aren't breaking the law. Hahaha, well played Apple, you are not stupid, we can see this, but cut the bullshit about the back door, just say we are not responsible for this.

[ThinkWithPortals]

Well done Apple (that's the first time I've ever said that) for standing your ground and sticking it to them. Maybe they'll get the message that encryption and privacy is important.

[Albatross]

Don't let them bully you, Apple!

[ShadowCaptain]

32 minutes ago, SirRoderick said:

Nothing but respect for this response, I hope it serves to highlight the problems with this direction of legislation. The more attention drawn to it, the better.

 

thats why I am happy its Apple it will spread all over the news, and get talked about

 

And if Apple are saying "we believe in encryption" etc then its going to be hard for the government to tell us the opposite

 

The more this happens the more ammunition we have to show the government that back doors are wrong, and only serve to undermine the security of its citizens

As I said before, terrorism is bad, but asking every civilian to give up basic privacy and security is worse

[Doobeedoo]

Good to see them holding their ground for encryption.

[Paragon_X]

Well fucking done Apple, you cannot treat the majority of the population as suspects because of a minuscule minority. I wonder what implications the act of forcing them to build a backdoor will have.

[Guest Kloaked]

BUT APPEL IS TEH DANK LORD OF BRAENLESS HUMAN SHILLZ!!111!!!!??

 

But in all seriousness, good on Apple for having the gall to do something like that.

[Katorice]

59 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

According to authorities, everyone could be a terrorist. That is why they insist no one has a right to privacy.

ftfy

 

and yes, I agree

[ShadowCaptain]

49 minutes ago, Paragon_X said:

Well fucking done Apple, you cannot treat the majority of the population as suspects because of a minuscule minority. I wonder what implications the act of forcing them to build a backdoor will have.

 

No good ones