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.


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

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GaryPosted:

Well it's good to see apple standing by and not allowing the FBI to have a backdoor as that would compromise everyone's security.

fokeiroPosted:

i wonder how would you people feel if on that phone was data pointing to the next attack where ur family members will be massacred and it happened just because a company decided not to help. i can tell none of you have lost members to these attack but other families did and noone think about them
.

DanielPosted:

Miss All for publicity. Never trust Apple or the Federal Government.

Never did trust them anyway and especially not trusting the Federal Government.

OmittingCoderPosted:

TolgaMods
Lord_G That's right Apple f*** the feds

Very true aha they have 100 percentage


Apple fooling people like you guys, EleGiggle

EternityPosted:

ProJimmyRustler
Miss All for publicity. Never trust Apple or the Federal Government.


True. They have no problem data mining the device and selling that information to companies, but when it comes to the government they act all progressive.


I've been trying so hard not to comment on anything, simply because I've agreed with what everyone said so far. Except that. Data mining and Apple is like putting the round peg in the square hole. It doesn't go together at all.

Am I saying Apple doesn't data mine? Oh heavens no. Everyone does. But if there is one company in the entire planet that does it a) in extremely limited quantities and b) for the betterment of their own products? It's Apple. Here are the forms of "data mining" they partake in:
- Apple Maps inquiries to further improve mapping logic and feedback
- device and crash info for debugging (zero personal info acquired)
- purchase trends on iTunes and App stores

Also, if there is ONE thing Apple would never do, it is selling that information to advertisers or third parties. Every byte of information is internal only and is anonymized.

Sorry for breaking out my "fanboy" card, but what you said just simply isn't true.

THQPosted:

If they were to do it once, they would be asking all the time

TolgaModsPosted:

Lord_G That's right Apple f*** the feds

Very true aha they have 100 percentage

LostPosted:

I feel like they should help in rare situations like these. I understand that it's for our protection but when it comes to terrorists/murderers/etc. I think they should make an exception. Just to unlock the phone and let the FBI do their thing. I wouldn't want them to supply the FBI with something like that themselves though. I would think they'd be able to develop something themselves to unlock the phone anyways.

ShaliSilvaPosted:

good to try. just see to Online Games and Pokemon Games and you will find interesting stuff, just like these.

coolbunny1234Posted:

#AndroidArmy. Even though I am not an apple user, kudos to not doing what would be a terrible move for a staple feature of apple products.


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