Mikey Campbell
In a letter delivered to President Barack Obama on Monday, two trade groups comprised of some of the largest tech companies in the U.S. asked the White House to reject government policies designed to undermine encryption systems built to keep consumer data private.
Both the Information Technology Industry Council and the Software and Information Industry Association were signatories of the letter, reports Reuters. The groups represent a number of companies including Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft and IBM, among others.
"We are opposed to any policy actions or measures that would undermine encryption as an available and effective tool," the letter reads.
Today's correspondence echoes a note sent to Obama in May, in which Apple and a cadre of tech companies requested the White House reject proposals that would weaken encryption protocols built into consumer electronic operating systems.
Law enforcement officials, looking for access to data that could potentially help in criminal investigations, have repeatedly called on private sector firms to install backdoors into their existing security infrastructure. They argue technology companies like Apple are blocking access to information deemed vital to criminal investigations. Further, Apple is advertising the fact that iOS users are "above the law," officials said.
The issue has become increasingly contentious as Apple, Google and other mobile tech companies deploy high-security encryption protocols that are incredibly difficult to crack. For example, iOS 8 comes with a lockout mechanism so effective that Apple itself is technically incapable of decrypting user data, even with certified warrants for information.
For its part, industry representatives argue encryption is not merely a perk, but a necessity for many consumers. Some attribute the modern data privacy movement to revelations concerning the existence of government surveillance programs, as leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. The general public has since become hyper-sensitive to prying eyes, especially those attached to government bodies.
"Consumer trust in digital products and services is an essential component enabling continued economic growth of the online marketplace," according to Monday's letter.
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
29 Comments
Apple's new six-digit passcode for TouchID devices is another excellent move. And I want to see more teardowns of iOS 9 to see if the Rootless security rumors are true; if so, it'll be the most hardened OS of all time.
The ironic thing about Apple's security is that it is required in order to be made available for US government users. Apple wasn't on par with Blackberry for mobile devices and until Filevault was released for OSX, it wasn't really allowed on government systems (classified and unclassified). Because of theft of government laptops, all laptops had to have full disk encryption before they could be taken outside the confines of the protected area. Some of this was to protect PPI (protected personal information) which was seen as a major issue several years ago when identity theft first started to become rampant. Now the government says it's too good and they want to weaken it. Looking at how far Apple has gone with desktop and mobile security, their devices should be the only ones allowed on government systems but they won't because the US government is extremely hypocritical when it comes to so many things. Security means so many different things and is constantly changing. What Apple is doing regarding security is good for this country, good for the rest of the world, and should be seen as such.
Some of us should have a good close look at what Snowden released. It is profoundly frightening. Some overzealous bureaucrat in the government security sector could make a mistake and the poor person affected would be toast!!
Yet iOS 8.4 beta has root certificates embedded in the OS for every government agency, giving them backdoor access.
Smoke and mirrors. Apple is only "warning" the government because Apple doesn't want the flame storm coming once 8.4 goes live and people realize Apple caved in.
Yet iOS 8.4 beta has root certificates embedded in the OS for every government agency, giving them backdoor access.
Smoke and mirrors. Apple is only "warning" the government because Apple doesn't want the flame storm coming once 8.4 goes live and people realize Apple caved in.
Proof, of course not, because the government would hunt you down or something.