I would like to start this post by saying that I’m honestly not sure if I am on one side of this argument 100%. Personally, I believe that Apple is making the right call by not providing the software that the FBI is ordering, but I can also see why some would stand with the FBI on this one. One of the main arguments concerning the software to be built is that it could possibly end up in the wrong hands. I would like to point out, though, that the possibility of something ending up in the wrong hands has been a considered one throughout so much of our country’s history. During wartime as well as peace, the government and the armed forces branches create military plans of utmost secrecy. What is the difference between these military plans and the proposed iPhone software? Both, if acquired by the wrong people, could be a huge threat to security. The military plans, in fact, might even be more of a threat, seeing that they could be harmful to national security as well as personal lives. We cannot stop creating military plans, however, because they are necessary to keep our country and our people safe. Can we not say the same about this iPhone software? The FBI is attempting to open the iPhone to hopefully find information related to other attacks or possibly a terrorist cell – finding that information could be just as important for national security, so where do we draw the line?
When I first read Tim Cook’s letter to customers last week, I believed that Tim Cook and Apple were in the right by refusing to follow the mandate. Especially after reading the following few lines, I had a hard time not sticking with this idea: “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.” The idea that the FBI, another government branch that used the same power, or possibly anyone outside of government that managed to get their hands on the software could essentially get ahold of all of my personal information on my phone was exactly what the article described it as: “chilling.” Although Congress has not changed any laws or officially backed the FBI, Ted Lieu of California (one of four members of Congress to hold a computer science degree) said that “allowing this order to stand would be a terrible decision.”
Ethically, I believe that Apple is required to stick to their belief and not create this software that the FBI is asking for – software that one of the articles referred to as FBIOS. When Apple iPhones were introduced and throughout their lifetime, Apple has done everything in their power to keep people’s data safe. CEO Tim Cook says “for many years, we have used encryption to protect our customers’ personal data because we believe it’s the only way to keep their information safe. We have even put that data out of our own reach, because we believe the contents of your iPhone are none of our business.” Creating the edited firmware to allow computerized brute force hacking of an iPhone without the annoying little “iPhone disabled, try again in 5 minutes” message would go back on that promise of encryption almost immediately.
When it comes to concerns of national security, I do believe that the FBI has some pull here. They are not just requesting this software with the idea that they may require it in the future; they are currently attempting to solve a terrible case of terrorism, and without Apple’s help, they may not be able to get as far. But can you not say that providing this adjusted firmware could also put lives at risk? As stated before, this could lead to people’s locations becoming known. Is that not a security risk in itself? Who is to say which is a bigger risk, which lives are more important to protect? Having nothing to hide and nothing to fear could maybe count as an argument for certain personal information, but leaked info such as social security number, bank account information, and whereabouts are certainly to be feared regardless of having nothing to hide.
After reading the articles and writing this post, I stand with Apple. As an iPhone owner myself, I appreciate what they are trying to do to preserve individual privacy.
hfredric 