Apple refuses to create a program for the FBI

Apple is unbending in its fight against the FBI relative to an individual’s privacy. (Pexels.com)

U.S. Magistrate judge James Orenstein has ordered Apple to make a program that unlocks an iPhone that the killers from San Bernardino used. According to an article in the Washington Post, the FBI believes there may have been correspondence between those killers and ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Apple has refused to make the program.

The FBI wants Apple to create a program called Backdoor. This method is often kept secret bypassing normal authentication in any computer system, often used for securing unauthorized remote access to a computer system or obtain unauthorized access.

Apple is refusing to create this program because they feel that if made, it will eventually get into the wrong hands and will put any person who has an iPhone or Macintosh product at risk of their privacy being invaded.

“We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good,” said Apple chief executive Tim Cook in a strongly worded open letter posted Feb 16 on the company’s website.

Phone conversations, texting, pictures being sent or received, everything would be available for the public. Someone who uses this program can even record your conversation while you think your computer is off.

Apple and the FBI are having a hearing before a congressional Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, March 1. Bruce Sewell will testifying for Apple and FBI director James Comey will testify.

“Encryption is a thing, a necessary thing,” Sewell will argue. “We have been using it in our products for over a decade. As attacks on our customers’ data become increasingly sophisticated, the tools we use to defend against them must get stronger too. Weakening encryption will only hurt consumers and other well-meaning users who rely on companies like Apple to protect their personal information.”

One of the security features Apple has on their phone is that after so many times of trying to unlock a phone and failing, the phone will automatically delete any information stored on the phone.

This case shows what is truly dangerous with division between peoples’ security needs and safety for the lives.

“We have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help,” Cook said “but now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create.”

According to an article from CNN, some believe that it is time for Washington and Silicon Valley to realize that it is to their benefit to get along and work together.

While some massacre victims urge Apple to cooperate with the FBI, others may not be in agreement. Although most everyone can agree that people want to prevent hackers and personal information on phones secure, others wonder if it is worth compromising the possibility tracking of other terrorists.

“The San Bernardino litigation isn’t about trying to set a precedent or send any kind of message. It is about the victims and justice,”  said FBI Director James Comey in a letter published on the Lawfare blog.

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