The public is divided with strong opinions over whether or not Apple should help the FBI unlock the iPhone of San Bernardino killer, Syed Farook. FBI said that unlocking the phone could potentially lead into the radical influence of Islamic terrorist groups on the shooter. On the other hand, Apple claims that granting FBI's request will lead to a dangerous precedent.
Apple CEO claims that the request will create a backdoor access not just for Farook's phone, but for all iPhones in the market, Review Journal reported. In the past, Apple has helped the FBI to access information from phones. However, in this case, Farook's device is locked with a user-assigned passcode.
Both the FBI and supporters of electronic security in the tech industry are divided on the issue. Google CEO Sundar Pichai echoed Apple's sentiments that its compliance would be a troubling precedent in larger issues of privacy and security.
Ex-NSA chief retired General Michael Hayden likewise backs Apple. He told Wall Street Journal that in a larger scheme, "America is simply more secure with unbreakable end-to-end encryption."
In response, FBI Director Jim Comey said that the San Bernardino lawsuit is not about setting a precedent. He said that the suit is simply employed to bring justice to the families and victims of the mass killings. He said that that under the law, the authorities owe the public a thorough investigation, USA Today reported.
New York Police Commissioner William Bratton is of the opinion that no car, device, nor home should be beyond the reach of a search warrant ordered by the court. Republican candidate Donald Trump also slammed Apple for its refusal to hack the phone. GOP political consultant, Stuart Stevens, also chimed in and tweeted, "Apple has no problem trying to gather every bit of our personal data for marketing, but [feels] obligated to protect privacy of dead mass murderers?"
Apple has since said that even with a warrant, hacking the user-generated encryption would take five and a half years to decrypt by guessing every possible passcode.
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