You may have heard about the FBI demanding that Apple crack into the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino, California shooters. Apple has refused because they feel that it is a huge security risk to their customers. They have explained their stance on their website.

The CEO of Apple, Tim Cook has also followed up with an interview with CBS News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QW_zkYkDBo

To me, there is something very wrong with the government’s approach to this. The FBI didn’t ask Apple for their help, they just filed a lawsuit. Apple found out about it in the news like everyone else. And, the FBI already tried changing the password on the phone before approaching Apple about it which messed up the possibility of accessing the data they were looking for. They are being reckless in their approach and careless about what they are asking for in respect to the tens of millions of users it would affect.

One of the central themes of my graphic novel, Hacktivity is about a government’s attitude that they are entitled to their citizens information regardless of their civil rights and potential unintended consequences. It paints a picture of a government that no longer stands by the principles that it was founded on. They just do things because, well, terrorists.

“Some things are hard. And some things are right. And some things are both. This is one of those things.” — Tim Cook

As the Snowden leaks on the NSA’s tactics have shown us, the government has been on this path for years. Which is why the case with Apple is so significant. Like Snowden, they are bringing wrongful actions to light and pushing forward public discourse.

“This is not a position that we would like to be in. It is a very uncomfortable position. To oppose your government on something doesn’t feel good. And to oppose them on something where we are advocating civil liberties which they are supposed to protect. It is incredibly ironic.” — Tim Cook

Originally posted on ovidem.com