On December 2, 2015, 14 people were killed and many more were injured in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California. Three Apple iPhones of the terrorists were found. Two were destroyed and one iPhone 5C remained, easily un-lockable by a short digit passcode.
The FBI was able to unlock the iPhone, but could not unlock the secret user data information that was held within the cell phone. The FBI wanted to hack into that information and Apple said “no.” It was now a case of Apple versus the FBI, and America was forced to choose a side.
Do you believe that the FBI has the right to hack into the terrorists’ phone so that they could receive data information to help find other connected terrorists and stop future attacks, or should Apple withhold the information because it is their policy to protect the information of the customers?
At first glance into the issue, it is easy to take the FBI’s side. The FBI should have the rights to the phone’s user data information, especially to stop future terrorist acts. Besides, they are the FBI, and who is Apple to stop them? Sure, Apple’s idea of customer privacy is a legitimate idea, but the FBI wants the information to protect us.
So, it is easy to side with the FBI. But there is more information to Apple’s side of the story that many people overlook. Apple released a letter on February 26, 2016, stating the extremely controversial issues that would arise if they comply with the FBI’s wishes.
Ultimately, the FBI wants Apple to make a new version of the iPhone operating system that bypasses a lot of the security systems that Apple already has in place. Then, they want Apple to install that operating system on the recovered terrorists’ phone so that they can hack into the encrypted files.
Apple stressed the need for encryption in their letter. They have encryption systems that are extremely difficult for hackers to break for all of our personal data. Apple has even put all of that data out of their own reach, because they state that, even they, do not believe in having our personal information.
Apple stated that they do not condone the terrorist acts. They stressed that they have helped the FBI by giving them information that was in their possession, complying with warrants, and sending Apple engineers to aid. However, now they are putting their foot down.
Apple claims that, not only do they not have this encrypted information, but if they were able to reach it, the consequences would be dire. If they were able to make an operating system like the FBI desires, it wouldn’t as strongly protect user information as well, and since that type of system that the FBI wants would have to have a “back-door,” then that personal information will be easy to hack into for any basic hacker around the world.
Even if only the FBI had the information to this operating system, Apple claims that it would still be easy for hackers to find the “key,” or piece of information, to break into it, putting the operating system and our personal information into the wrong hands.
The government says that they would use it only on this one phone, but Apple claims that, once created and spread by hackers, it can be used on any device at any time. Now knowing more of Apple’s technological argument, it is easier to side with Apple.
While I agree with Apple that the FBI definitely has good intentions, I do not believe this operating system should be developed. The negative consequences outweigh the positive ones. This one operating system could easily lead to a mass personal data breach.
Even if the operating system was created, there are still smarter terrorists out there in the world that could bypass the new system and the FBI, and us, will be put back into the same exact situation we are in right now.
Jill Augustine
Deputy Viewpoints Editor
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