Facebook and Twitter Announce Support for Apple in Backdoor Dispute With FBI

[MacRumors]

Both Facebook and Twitter today joined the ranks of a growing number of tech companies announcing support for Apple's decision to oppose a government order that would require it to weaken the security of its iOS devices. The FBI is demanding Apple create a version of iOS that would let it crack the passcode on the iPhone 5c used by San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook, something Apple has called a "dangerous precedent."

In a tweet shared this afternoon, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey thanked Tim Cook for his leadership and said the company stands with Apple. In the tweet, Dorsey also links to Cook's strongly worded open letter that calls the FBI's software request "too dangerous to create."

We stand with @tim_cook and Apple (and thank him for his leadership)! https://t.co/XrnGC9seZ4 - Jack (@jack) February 18, 2016

Facebook announced its support through a statement shared with USA Today, which says the company will "fight aggressively" against government requirements to weaken security. Facebook says the FBI's demands "would create a chilling precedent."

"We condemn terrorism and have total solidarity with victims of terror. Those who seek to praise, promote, or plan terrorist acts have no place on our services. We also appreciate the difficult and essential work of law enforcement to keep people safe," the statement reads. "When we receive lawful requests from these authorities we comply. However, we will continue to fight aggressively against requirements for companies to weaken the security of their systems. These demands would create a chilling precedent and obstruct companies' efforts to secure their products."

The dispute between Apple and the FBI centers around the FBI's request for a new version of iOS that would disable certain passcode security features on the shooter's iPhone 5c. The FBI has made three demands of Apple, which are as follows:

1. Eliminate the auto-erase function that wipes an iPhone if the wrong passcode is entered 10 times.
2. Eliminate the delay that locks the FBI out of the iPhone if the wrong passcode is entered too many times in a row.
3. Implement a method that would allow the FBI to electronically enter a passcode using software.

While the government has suggested the software tool will be used to unlock only the device in question, Apple and other technology companies believe that it sets a precedent that could lead to similar unlocking requests in the future or a general demand to weaken overall encryption for electronic devices. Tim Cook has called the FBI's demands an "overreach" by the U.S. government that would "undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect."

The implications of the government's demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act 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.

Apple has gained a number of backers over the course of the last few days. Google CEO Sundar Pichai previously announced support for Apple, calling the FBI's request a "troubling precedent" in a statement released yesterday. Apple also has the support of WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum and several advocacy groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, and the American Civil Liberties Union. Apple customers have created petitions and are attending rallies held in support of Apple's willingness to fight for privacy protections.

Update: In related news, Apple has received additional time to respond to the court order levied against it earlier this week. The judge who ordered Apple to help the FBI break into the iPhone had given the company 5 days to oppose the order, which has now been extended to February 26. Apple is planning to fight the court order.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Facebook and Twitter Announce Support for Apple in Backdoor Dispute With FBI

 

[apolloa]

Not going to comment my opinion on who is right or wrong, just want to say that they have all picked a fight with the US law and the US government. And I can currently only see this ending up in your supreme court with a final decision affecting all corners of digital life being reached. Will be interesting to see what happens. 9to5mac have a story that a senator is planning to introduce a bill to make it illegal for companies to define the courts on this matter:

http://9to5mac.com/2016/02/18/penalize-tech-companies-for-not-decrypting-devices/

As I said will be interesting to watch this.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Awesome. **** the US government for trying to spy even more on their own citizens. We would be in uproar if this was China asking for this.

 

[Porco]

Today it is the data on our smartphones.

Tomorrow it is the thoughts in our brains.

The principle of a right to privacy is an important one that will one day affect everyone unavoidably if technology continues to advance. Better to fight for the principle of privacy now, when it's about smartphones, rather than later, when it's about our brains.

 

[foxkoneko]

awesome, where you at google and MS

 

[mariusignorello]

Most of those demands can be achieved through MDM commands. But definitely not in favor of allowing this to happen.

 

[pat500000]

Well....I'm not surprised that twitter bug and Faceless book would join Apple -cough- promotions -cough- i meant...to fight against evil. . Facebook "Yeah..we support apple with security." -presses a button that states "alert to FBI."

 

[vertsix]

awesome, where you at google and MS

Uh, Google already showed support.

Microsoft won't, because they have backdoors and the encryption keys to Windows's BitLocker encryption.

 

[Yelmurc]

Its hard for me to care about their support on this. They both give out information to the government without hesitation. I

 

[Trik]

It should be noted that if the San Bernardino Department of Public Health had been using some sort of Mobile Device Management for the phones that they owned, this could have all been avoided.

 

[Solomani]

Not going to comment my opinion on who is right or wrong, just want to say that they have all picked a fight with the US law and the US government. And I can currently only see this ending up in your supreme court with a final decision affecting all corners of digital life being reached. Will be interesting to see what happens. 9to5mac have a story that a senator is planning to introduce a bill to make it illegal for companies to define the courts on this matter:

http://9to5mac.com/2016/02/18/penalize-tech-companies-for-not-decrypting-devices/

As I said will be interesting to watch this.

I agree that the issue is important enough to warrant a Supreme Court decision. But it could take years before it even gets there.

The Government will do everything to make sure that the tech companies (e.g. Apple's CEO) will eventually "surrender" because the Government will use every propaganda to say that "The tech companies are traitors, see how they side with the terrorists?!"

And eventually, the Tech Companies may indeed surrender after a couple years and say "Man, we tried to fight this, but it's just not worth it. The Government has demonized us, vilified us, and painted us as terrorist-enablers, and like 90% of the brainwashed American public believe the Government view. This is just not worth fighting any longer. It's costed us way too much money, and way too much brand damage, and we've lost too many customers over this. There's no way we can ever win this. We cave in."

 

[carrrrrlos]

It’s going to be an interesting year.

 

[Goatllama]

Its hard for me to care about their support on this. They both give out information to the government without hesitation. I

Abducted mid-post!!!

 

[aaronvan]

Abducted mid-post!!!

That's what happens when you defy Obama...

 

[usarioclave]

That's Obama - Bringing people together to fight a common cause. Unfortunately Obama's on the other side of the cause, but still.

Guess who won't be doing any fundraising in Silicon Valley anytime soon.

 

[logicstudiouser]

Sad that private companies are more conscious of our rights than our own government.

 

[Renzatic]

I agree that the issue is important enough to warrant a Supreme Court decision. But it could take years before it even gets there.

Considering the plaintiffs involved, and defendants alleged needs, I could imagine this one being fast tracked up to SCOTUS pretty quick-like.

 

[ziggie216]

Uh, Google already showed support.

Microsoft won't, because they have backdoors and the encryption keys to Windows's BitLocker encryption.

Google used the word "could" way too many times.

 

[vertsix]

Google used the word "could" way too many times.

So did Apple on their letter.

 

[yadmonkey]

It's like the government is asking Apple to prick just a tiny hole into a large balloon. What they are asking is absolutely reckless and beyond reasoning.

 

[Zaft]

Its hard for me to care about their support on this. They both give out information to the government without hesitation. I

That's not the point here. The issue is the fbi wants apple to CREATE a way in.

 

[stevemiller]

can we just step back for a moment and marvel that a plot thread from the dark knight has basically become reality.

 

[JonneyGee]

If this heads to the Supreme Court, it will make the fight over the vacant seat there even more interesting.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

awesome, where you at google and MS

Google already came out in support.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

I agree that the issue is important enough to warrant a Supreme Court decision. But it could take years before it even gets there.

The Government will do everything to make sure that the tech companies (e.g. Apple's CEO) will eventually "surrender" because the Government will use every propaganda to say that "The tech companies are traitors, see how they side with the terrorists?!"

And eventually, the Tech Companies may indeed surrender after a couple years and say "Man, we tried to fight this, but it's just not worth it. The Government has demonized us, vilified us, and painted us as terrorist-enablers, and like 90% of the brainwashed American public believe the Government view. This is just not worth fighting any longer. It's costed us way too much money, and way too much brand damage, and we've lost too many customers over this. There's no way we can ever win this. We cave in."

Steve Jobs would never allow Apple to give in. It seems that Tim Cook is following those foot-steps. Apple and the other tech firms will not back down.