Fri 04 Mar 2016 10:25
Apple vs FBI: it is about setting a precedent.
There seems to be lots of confusion about Apple's current dispute with
the FBI, despite Apple's
message to their customers of Feb 16, 2016, where they tried to
explain the issue. Here's the issue in a nutshell.
The FBI has an Apple iPhone that was the work-phone of a now-dead terrorist. The FBI wants to read what is on that phone. But the phone is encrypted, and runs a secure version of iOS. The FBI wants Apple to make an insecure version of iOS to run on that phone, so that the FBI can break into the phone and read the contents. Apple has, so far, refused.
This issue will no doubt be addressed in the US courts and legislatures. What is at stake is the precedent it sets. The essential question is this: to what extent should law enforcement be able to compel others to assist them with an investigation? Should software developers be expected to make insecure versions of their software, so that law enforcement can "break in"? It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.