Apple Defies US Government Over Privacy

Comments

djking_69

9 years ago

i dont get it, why bash the FBI on this. you guys said it yourself it is not that simple.

HiKingBlaze

9 years ago

I have faith in Apple winning this.

gootm28

9 years ago

Instead of having the security bypass installed by default, FBI should request that Apple develop the bypass as a software/hardware patch. Then the process for the FBI to get the bypass would be:

FBI obtains warrant
Apple verifies warrant
Apple applies the patch to the device specified in the warrant
Apple resets any security, and removes patch
Apple returns device to FBI

The patch code would stay with Apple not the FBI. This would prevent anyone from randomly being able to bypass security as the bypass would not be in place by default. And the FBI would have to go through due process in order to get the bypass applied. This would be similar to the process of getting a wiretap order

mattster232

9 years ago

That's what the FBI is trying to do. The problem is that once the software is available, and the legal precedent has been set, the amount of cases where this will be used will only increase. It's the same as how agencies had to request data from cell phone carriers, and once they didn't comply, these agencies made it a court order, and eventually a law was passed allowing them to do so as they please. Apple does not want this to happen to encryption which affects almost one billion iphones. Apple's CEO Tim Cook doesn't want the US government to believe that it can make encryption irrelevant because in a time where most of our personal information is online, encryption is a crucial tool to keep people safe.

gootm28

9 years ago

From the Apple letter it sounded like the FBI wanted them to install a new OS that would stay on the device. The patch I am talking about would be removed before the FBI would get the device back, meaning FBI would never have the ability to use it on their own.

Ducckk

9 years ago

I see where you're coming from, but that would create a devastating precedent. There are some solid restrictions on the governments reach into your personal life, but it would be really bad if the government had a deal with a company (any company) to decide when they deem it necessary to go around your personal security.

Do I think the government should get access to this terrorist's data? Absolutely, but this situation could very easily lead to a slippery slope. Now it's a terrorist, but how long before it's a suspected terrorist? Or the past friend of a suspected terrorist?

DDragon7

9 years ago

The other problem is, once it exists, it is one step away from falling into the wrong hands and spreading. It only takes one bad apple or one desperate employee for that patch to leave the building.

bri333865

9 years ago

Really hoping Apple wins this, the government has to much acsess to people's personal information and messages as it is, they don't need anymore ways to violate peoples privacy without a reason, cause they not gonna just use it on that single phone if apple loses to the govt, they would use it on everyone 24/7. I've never been a huge fan of Apple products, but really hooping that they win

OniZonda

9 years ago

The argument "If you have nothing to hide, why are you keeping it a secret" is trouble waiting to happen. I would assume most people here are gamers (since the flagship series from RT is based on a video game), and we have some messed up things that happen regularly, and we don't even think about it because it's all fantasy and escapism. The next time you play CS:GO, GTA, Fallout, or any other game that includes words and phrases that could put you on a watch list for uttering them on a plane, remember that the "surveillance" that will be used only for "bad guys" would flag you as a bad guy. Combine that with the PATRIOT Act and you could be sent away for a very long time without a lawyer for a stupid misunderstanding of you talking about a video game instead of real life. In short, I hope Apple stands firm on the subject because it's a problem if law abiding citizens are wrongfully accused of a crime they didn't commit.