Close

Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    DF Super Moderator
    evilsatan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    20,078
    Thanks
    1,105
    Thanked:        3,241
    Karma Level
    1540

    Default Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    February 16, 2016A Message to Our Customers

    The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.
    This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake.


    The Need for Encryption

    Smartphones, led by iPhone, have become an essential part of our lives. People use them to store an incredible amount of personal information, from our private conversations to our photos, our music, our notes, our calendars and contacts, our financial information and health data, even where we have been and where we are going.
    All that information needs to be protected from hackers and criminals who want to access it, steal it, and use it without our knowledge or permission. Customers expect Apple and other technology companies to do everything in our power to protect their personal information, and at Apple we are deeply committed to safeguarding their data.
    Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us.
    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.


    The San Bernardino Case

    We were shocked and outraged by the deadly act of terrorism in San Bernardino last December. We mourn the loss of life and want justice for all those whose lives were affected. The FBI asked us for help in the days following the attack, and we have worked hard to support the government’s efforts to solve this horrible crime. We have no sympathy for terrorists.
    When the FBI has requested data that’s in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we’ve offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.
    We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone.
    Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession.
    The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.


    The Threat to Data Security

    Some would argue that building a backdoor for just one iPhone is a simple, clean-cut solution. But it ignores both the basics of digital security and the significance of what the government is demanding in this case.
    In today’s digital world, the “key” to an encrypted system is a piece of information that unlocks the data, and it is only as secure as the protections around it. Once the information is known, or a way to bypass the code is revealed, the encryption can be defeated by anyone with that knowledge.
    The government suggests this tool could only be used once, on one phone. But that’s simply not true. Once created, the technique could be used over and over again, on any number of devices. In the physical world, it would be the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks — from restaurants and banks to stores and homes. No reasonable person would find that acceptable.
    The government is asking Apple to hack our own users and undermine decades of security advancements that protect our customers — including tens of millions of American citizens — from sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals. The same engineers who built strong encryption into the iPhone to protect our users would, ironically, be ordered to weaken those protections and make our users less safe.
    We can find no precedent for an American company being forced to expose its customers to a greater risk of attack. For years, cryptologists and national security experts have been warning against weakening encryption. Doing so would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data. Criminals and bad actors will still encrypt, using tools that are readily available to them.


    A Dangerous Precedent

    Rather than asking for legislative action through Congress, the FBI is proposing an unprecedented use of the All Writs Act of 1789 to justify an expansion of its authority.
    The government would have us remove security features and add new capabilities to the operating system, allowing a passcode to be input electronically. This would make it easier to unlock an iPhone by “brute force,” trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer.
    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.
    Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.
    We are challenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.
    While we believe the FBI’s intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.


    Tim Cook

    http://www.apple.com/customer-letter/


  2. #2
    DF Super Moderator
    evilsatan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    20,078
    Thanks
    1,105
    Thanked:        3,241
    Karma Level
    1540

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    EFF support:

    FEBRUARY 16, 2016 | BY KURT OPSAHL



    EFF to Support Apple in Encryption Battle




    We learned on Tuesday evening that a U.S. federal magistrate judge ordered Apple to backdoor an iPhone that was used by one of the perpetrators of the San Bernardino shootings in December. Apple is fighting the order which would compromise the security of all its users around the world.
    We are supporting Apple here because the government is doing more than simply asking for Apple’s assistance. For the first time, the government is requesting Apple write brand new code that eliminates key features of iPhone security—security features that protect us all. Essentially, the government is asking Apple to create a master key so that it can open a single phone. And once that master key is created, we're certain that our government will ask for it again and again, for other phones, and turn this power against any software or device that has the audacity to offer strong security.
    The U.S. government wants us to trust that it won't misuse this power. But we can all imagine the myriad ways this new authority could be abused. Even if you trust the U.S. government, once this master key is created, governments around the world will surely demand that Apple undermine the security of their citizens as well.
    EFF applauds Apple for standing up for real security and the rights of its customers. We have been fighting to protect encryption, and stop backdoors, for over 20 years. That's why EFF plans to file an amicus brief in support of Apple's position.

    https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/0...ryption-battle







  3. #3
    DF Admin 4me2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2000
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    33,090
    Thanks
    1,879
    Thanked:        2,033
    Karma Level
    2253

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    Does anyone honestly believe that the FBI don't already have access to the encryption ? I personally think this drama is a smoke screen being created for legal reasons to stop law suites.

    Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
    There are 3 types of people in the world - those who make things happen, those who watch things happen; and those who wondered what happened.

    http://newsarse.com/

    Conservatives. Putting the 'N' into Cuts.


  4. #4
    DF VIP Member muttleymacclad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    5,717
    Thanks
    931
    Thanked:        659
    Karma Level
    645

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    I'm getting pretty annoyed with Apple and whilst I agree in principle with Apple on this...they do like to have their cake and eat it.
    My point being is that Apple are happy to brick their customers phones and lock those customers out of their phones losing all content if they have non Apple servicing carried out but won't unlock a phone to help with a criminal terrorist investigation.


    Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk
    "When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butchers knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross." - 'Dirty' Harry

    Thanks to muttleymacclad

    piggzy (17th February 2016)  


  5. #5
    DF Super Moderator
    evilsatan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    20,078
    Thanks
    1,105
    Thanked:        3,241
    Karma Level
    1540

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    John McAfee offers to decrypt the phone for free:
    http://www.businessinsider.com/john-...ee-2016-2?IR=T


  6. #6
    DF Super Moderator piggzy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    3,540
    Thanks
    3,063
    Thanked:        1,553
    Karma Level
    370

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    He is a fuck wit but I do not doubt his connections !!!

  7. #7
    DF VIP Member crazyal's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Okinawa
    Posts
    4,214
    Thanks
    345
    Thanked:        468
    Karma Level
    534

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    John McAfee - I wouldn't trust him to install Windows let alone hack an iPhone.

    Whats more troubling, if the FBI don't have the in-house talent to do this with all the global resources at their disposal, then they need to drop the 'I'.

  8. #8
    DF VIP Member Ganty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Leicester
    Posts
    9,298
    Thanks
    949
    Thanked:        682
    Karma Level
    1165

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    Just ask Bono - he managed to get into every fucking iphone overnight.

    4 Thanks given to Ganty

    Ashley (19th February 2016),  chris71 (19th February 2016),  fanni (19th February 2016),  muttleymacclad (19th February 2016)  


  9. #9
    DF VIP Member
    Ashley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    London
    Posts
    2,003
    Thanks
    3,299
    Thanked:        472
    Karma Level
    321

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    Quote Originally Posted by Ganty View Post
    Just ask Bono - he managed to get into every fucking iphone overnight.
    Made my day reading that.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    DF Super Moderator
    evilsatan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    20,078
    Thanks
    1,105
    Thanked:        3,241
    Karma Level
    1540

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS



  11. #11
    DF VIP Member
    Mule's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Surrey
    Posts
    9,210
    Thanks
    460
    Thanked:        979
    Karma Level
    1049

    Default Re: Apple CEO Tim Cook writes letter about US wanting backdoors into iOS

    I bet Apple are loving this, free advertising and they get to play the part of standing up to the authorities on behalf of their users.

Similar Threads

  1. Newbie at Digital Sat - Wanting Advice
    By gav_b_uk in forum Digital Satellite TV
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 10th November 2002, 07:05 PM
  2. Xbox will only read 'Apple' disks
    By jweaver in forum Microsoft Consoles
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 4th November 2002, 07:47 AM
  3. bad cook
    By 4me2 in forum Funny Pictures
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 1st November 2002, 08:31 PM
  4. FS/FT 300Mhz G3 Apple iBook
    By LygerBomb in forum Buy, Sell and Trade
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10th September 2002, 11:27 PM
  5. Wanting to upgrade my PC
    By mark1984 in forum PC Hardware
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 5th September 2002, 10:57 PM

Social Networking Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •