Tim Cook posted a public response to the FBI-requested court order (read What the FBI is asking Apple to do) demanding that Apple provide a mechanism to allow the FBI to break into a phone seized as part of the investigation into the December San Bernardino shootings.
The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.
This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake.
Some key bits from Tim’s letter:
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.
For many years, we have used encryption to protect our customers’ personal data because we believe it’s the only way to keep their information safe. We have even put that data out of our own reach, because we believe the contents of your iPhone are none of our business.
And:
When the FBI has requested data that’s in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we’ve offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.
We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone.
And:
The implications of the government’s demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone’s device to capture their data. The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone’s microphone or camera without your knowledge.
Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.
Tim Cook, and Apple, are standing up for what they believe in, and standing up for their customers. What company does this?
Apple seemingly stands alone here. Where do Google, Facebook, Twitter and all the other companies whom you trust with your personal communications stand on this issue? Are they letting Apple fight this battle so they don’t have to? Or are they on the backdoor side? Now is the time to speak up.
Much more significant and far reaching than Steve’s “Thoughts on Flash” letter. I like what Tim is doing at Apple.
Don’t forget it’s for business reasons. Apple has lots of customers across the world, not all of whom are keen about the US Government’s ability to read their stuff (e.g., China).
Or….Apple could comply secretly, without anyone EVER knowing about it. That would be much easier. You know, kind of like every other tech company does? Lenovo, Acer, Huawei, HP, etc don’t seem to have issues selling products internationally.
Apple is PUBLICLY taking an UNPOPULAR stance, ALONE, because they seem to be the only company that has the courage to stand up for what they believe is right. Quit being so cynical.
No matter how much of Apples business is overseas, they are still an American company, and the last thing they need is a PR crisis in their home country over such a hot button topic. The govt and the media will twist this in masterful ways to paint Apple as the bad guys and not “caring about the children” or national security.
The stakes in this privacy battle have never been more important than they are at this moment. I expect this will go to the Supreme Court, which has just lost a Chief Justice. Then add to that, it’s an election year.
The pressure is not just on Tim Cook & Apple, but on all U.S. Citizens. We all have an obligation to choose which path is right for us: privacy or no privacy.
I belive in Apple’s integrity, the 4th Amendment and hope Apple is victorious.
If Congress really wants this, then vote it into law. The FBI is not an elected official.
If it was discovered that Apple complied secretly they would lose a tremendous amount of credibility and they would set a precedent which would force them to build a backdoor into all subsequent iPhones. They’ll never do it. And they shouldn’t.
IMO, the “secret compliance” ship has sailed thanks to Snowden. Sure, they could do it now, but has been pointed out, there’s too much risk both from a PR and engineering perspective.
I’m not saying that it’s the only reason Apple is doing it, but fighting the US government will be beneficial for Apple’s overseas business, and IMO they really have no choice, especially given the critical nature of their business in China. Most of the rest of the major tech firms struggle there; Apple doesn’t want to incur the wrath of the Chinese government.
Yes. Neither Apple, nor the Federal government (or any government) have an unlimited right to anyone’s data. There are already established method to obtain this data…
What are you suggesting? Apple should openly refuse the government and secretly comply?
I wold guess that is one reason all the other companies are silent.
“Where do Google, Facebook, Twitter and all the other companies whom you trust with your personal communications stand on this issue?”
Aren’t these companies invade our privacy enough? They will be hypocrites to stand with Apple now.