Apple and Google are boosting security on their mobile devices, but could the changes spell disaster for law enforcement investigations?

On Thursday, FBI Director James Comey told reporters that he is "very concerned" about the tech giants' plans for encryption, which deter police from unlocking encrypted devices.

"I am a huge believer in the rule of law, but I am also a believer that no one in this country is beyond the law," Comey said, as reported by The Huffington Post. "What concerns me about this is companies marketing something expressly to allow people to place themselves above the law."

Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 8, no longer allows user passwords to be bypassedmeaning neither police nor Genius Bar employees can circumvent the built-in security system.

"Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data," the company website said, referring to photos, messages, email, contacts, call history, notes, and reminders. "So it's not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8."

Google has also confirmed that the next-generation Android L OS will encrypt by default. Previously, users had to maneuver their way through the phone's settings to turn it on.

According to The Huffington Post, Comey said he understands the need for privacy, even condones it, adding that agencies should be required to obtain a warrant before searching someone's closet or smartphone.

But there needs to be a loophole that allows for government access in extreme cases. "The notion that someone would market a closet that could never be openedeven if it involves a case involving a child kidnapper or a court orderto me does not make any sense," he said Thursday.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that police must obtain a warrant before searching the contents of someone's mobile devicesmartphone or feature phone. The decision comes more than a year after whistleblower Edward Snowden confirmed the National Security Agency's spying tactics.

"I just want to make sure we have a good conversation in this country before that day comes," he continued. "I'd hate to have people look at me and say, 'Well, how come you can't save this kid?' [or] 'how come you can't do this thing?'"

An FBI spokesman confirmed Comey's remarks, but declined to provide further comment. Neither Apple nor Google immediately responded to PCMag's request for comment.

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 1:10 p.m. Eastern with confirmation from the FBI.

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