Apple Won't Create Universal iPhone "Back Door" To Aid FBI

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A US federal judge has ordered Apple to help the FBI hack into an iPhone used by one of the assailants in the San Bernardino, California shootings—and Apple is refusing to do so.
A Feb. 16 ruling from US magistrate Sheri Pym demands the Cupertino, California company provide the Federal Bureau of Investigation with software to bypass an iPhone security feature that wipes the device’s data after too many failed unlocking attempts. Apple had previously “declined to provide that assistance voluntarily,” according to a filing from the US Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.

Later on Feb. 16, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded in a letter explaining that Apple was challenging the ruling, which it considers “an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers,” and an “overreach” by the US government.

The letter elaborates:
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.
Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession.

On Dec. 2, Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, opened fire at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, killing 14 people and injuring 20 others. After the shooting, authorities recovered Farook’s work phone, an iPhone 5c, along with several other cell phones.

Prosecutors believe data on the iPhone could help them discover who the assailants were communicating with, where they had traveled before the attack, and any assistance they received in carrying out the shootings.

“We have made a solemn commitment to the victims and their families that we will leave no stone unturned as we gather as much information and evidence as possible,” US Attorney Eileen M. Decker said in a statement. “These victims and families deserve nothing less.”

Cook countered that Apple is standing up to what it sees as an “overreach” by the US government. He said:
We are challenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.


Posted:
Related Forum: Mobile Devices

Comments

"Apple Won't Create Universal iPhone "Back Door" To Aid FBI" :: Login/Create an Account :: 48 comments

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SeamPosted:

I completely agree with this, there are however mid ground options they could do to help the situation but cooperation isnt something thats going to be easily achieved.

MeadowPosted:

Annihilation- I don't think Apple should help the FBI.


I agree with you there! Don't give them any access

SupervisorPosted:

I don't think Apple should help the FBI.

BahrozPosted:

bruhh the FBI want access to that shooters phone! give them access!!

TaigaAisakaPosted:

Amun I don't think people understand.... if Apple created a backdoor into one iphone their essentially creating a skeleton key to every other iphone in the world. If that "skeleton key" was to every get in the wrong hands, bad things could happen.


It's not even the fact that the FBI will abuse it (and they will) it's the fact that they get hacked so much. A 15 year old kid hacked them, got emails, phone numbers, address, ect. Last thing that needs to happen, is someone hacks the FBI again, takes that key and then guess what, that key is now being spread around.

UptownPosted:

I don't think people understand.... if Apple created a backdoor into one iphone their essentially creating a skeleton key to every other iphone in the world. If that "skeleton key" was to every get in the wrong hands, bad things could happen.

SagePosted:

Nnj I kinda understand why people are mad but what they don't understand is one thing leads to many in this situation.


they should just do it since its almost impossible to get around there "lost" and "locked" thing without the passwords. i can see why the FBI wants something like that.

JoeyPosted:

I kinda understand why people are mad but what they don't understand is one thing leads to many in this situation.

TicianoPosted:

The government should not be able to hack into our phones. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done..

XboxPosted:

I respect Apple's decision to not help the FBI.