A U.S. judge has ordered Apple to help the FBI unlock the iPhone owned by the shooters in the terrorist attack that took place Dec. 2 in San Bernardino, Calif.
The terrorist’s iPhone is protected by encryption and a password, which the FBI has been unable to crack. If the FBI puts in the wrong password 10 times, the iPhone will erase all its data. The FBI wants Apple to create a new version of iOS that turns off the limit on password attempts so the agency can move forward with a brute force attack. Brute force attacks rely on computers to input many thousands of password/PIN combinations until the correct one is found.
Apple CEO Tim Cook calls the request a “threat to data security” and a “dangerous precedent.” In a letter to customers, Cook said the FBI is essentially requesting a backdoor into iPhones, even if the agency says it will use the method only once on this specific device.
Once created, others would be able use the backdoor to break into iPhones. Apple strongly believes consumers require and deserve encryption and protection from those who might exploit the treasure trove of data stored on their mobile device. “The implications of the government’s demands are chilling,” said Cook.
“If the government can use the All Writs Act (from 1789) 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.”
Cook said Apple fears this demand would undermine all it has done to protect its customers, as well as the ideals of privacy held by U.S. citizens. It is asking everyone to “step back” and consider the broader implications.
