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More tech firms are picking sides in the ongoing battle between Tim Cook's Apple and the FBI over cracking iPhone security for the handset of one of the San Bernardino attackers. This time around though they're siding with the FBI, with both Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates both voicing their support for law enforcement, government and anti-terror efforts.
This legal battle has been ongoing for several weeks now and stems from the FBI acquiring a court order to force Apple to weaken the security on one of its iPhones, so that it can learn more about the San Bernardino attacker. Apple has since resisted the order, with CEO Tim Cook saying it could threaten the privacy of all users.
This saw many different tech heads and pro-privacy organisations back the Cupertino company, with Google and Whatsapp founders recently voicing their support publicly. However they aren't the only big names in technology and it turns out not everyone agrees. Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are the latest to to make their concerns known and they lie with Apple not fulfilling the FBI's request.
Source: Evan Straumanis/Flickr
Gates believes that since this is a single incident, Apple should comply with the FBI's request (as per the Guardian). He even questioned Tim Cook's argument that weakening a single iPhone's security would be tantamount to a back door.
“[It's like saying nobody should] be able to get at bank records. Let’s say the bank had tied a ribbon round the disk drive and said, ‘Don’t make me cut this ribbon because you’ll make me cut it many times,'” he said.
Zuckerberg has offered more of a mixed bag of opinions. He stated on Monday that he was “sympathetic,” to Cook's concerns, and Facebook issued a statement last week saying it would “aggressively,” protect the security of its systems. However Zuckerberg has now clarified that if he had opportunities to work with the government to help prevent terrorist attacks, Facebook would do that.
He also claimed that organisations like his and Apple had a responsibility to help prevent different kinds of “attacks.”
Despite these firms vocing their support in opposition of Apple, the Cupertino company still plans to defend its stance on preventing a weakening of security standards on its handsets. It has argued that if one country demands it, others will too.
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KitGuru Says: It's not hugely surprising that Gates and Zuckerberg have landed on this side of the argument, but this writer at least feels it's a shame. As much as I believe what's on the San Bernardino's smartphone will likely be of real use to authorities, I would rather keep security strong for everyone, than weaken it for the sake of a few.
Well atleast Microsoft and Facebook are honest about their dishonesty when it comes to security.
If I was a terrorist and my pc contained information, everybody would want to know what’s on there and you can bet that nobody would object to Asus assisting with cracking it. The problem is that our world is no longer limited to single devices: everything is networked and integrated, so hacking one allows you access to everything else without actually needing physical access. And yes, there goes your privacy. I understand Gates’s argument, but a bank can simply change its security system afterwards, Apple cannot do the same after the iPhones have been cracked.
If Apple cannot be trusted to make a patch for this single phone.. How can you trust them to update the phone with a new OS? It’s a really stupid argument… If it were so easy to hack Apple, why wouldn’t a hacking team steal the source code and make their own?
Zuk must be feeling bad the Paris attackers used WhatsApp to communicate securely during their attacks…. Everyday people don’t need an uncrackable phone… It should be illegal…
Lame argument when the Al Qaeda and ISIS actively use Facebook for recruitment activities and it takes an age for take those pages to be taken down after people start reporting, some pages get to stay online because facebook says “We reviewed the page you reported for containing hate speech or symbols and found it doesn’t violate our Community Standards.” Now we know Facebook’s “standards”.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/16/husain-facebook-refuses-take-down-isis-terror-grou/
Look at that article, it took a media storm before something was done.
Yeah poor Zuck and Facebook are feeling bad, Not.
As for you last claim, if you want a crackable phone by an elite few in the govt because it is somehow supposed to help you be safe then I have this for you:
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If it were so easy, why doesn’t the FBI do it. I don’t know.
I’m sure any coder with his salt could make the patch.. They need the source code.. which apple has.. also apple has a key.. that’s why they would want to do it in-house… Apple really shouldn’t be making uncrackable phones… since it’s illegal…. also very dangerous…I bet they’ll have to back down… Also of course other governments will be asking them to do the same… soon enough!
I was being sarcastic… but sounds like we agree! 🙂
In WWII… the Germans made an encryption device called Ultra.. in the beginning the British couldn’t crack it and they had many fatalities and hugh setbacks.. They almost lost the battle of the Atlantic since they couldn’t find the German subs….. Eventually they were able to crack the codes and in the course of the war they prevented great loss of life and helped to defeat the Germans.. without cracking it the war would have been even more dicey… The point is secure communications is a huge benefit for any group… and in the midst of peacetime being able to get on Zuks What’sApp or Facebook messenger and communicate “Ultra style” is complete absurd… Every phone should be subject to law enforcement with a legal warrant.. That’s how America works.
Oh apologies then! Hard to detect sarcasm on the internet, especially with people who really have such views and they are not joking in the slightest.