Roger Fingas
In a Time Magazine interview published on Thursday, Apple CEO Tim Cook railed against the U.S. government's approach to the battle over encryption, claiming he was "offended" by statements leveled against the company, as well as the way the government is pursuing data from the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter.
"And so do I like their tactics? No. I don't," Cook said. "I'm seeing the government apparatus in a way I've never seen it before. Do I like finding out from the press about it? No. I don't think it's professional. So do I like them talking about, or lying, about our intentions? No. I'm offended by it. Deeply offended by it."
The comment appears to be a specific reference to a recent Justice Department brief, accusing Apple of building iOS 8 and 9 security with the express intent of thwarting government warrants and other requests for data access. Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell recently said the filing "reads like an indictment," and echoed Cook's language, calling the document "deeply offensive."
Cook restated many of his company's arguments against building a passcode limit crack for the FBI, notably suggesting however that the world is in a "golden age of surveillance," and that the idea of encryption of causing the world to "go dark" for law enforcement and spy agencies is a myth.
"I never expected to be in this position. The government should always be the one defending civil liberties. And there's a role reversal here," he later remarked, nevertheless remaining optimistic that the situation is temporary and Apple's position will ultimately triumph.
A March 22 court hearing is set to review the court order asking Apple to build the passcode crack. That's just one day after special press event where the company is expected to showcase a new 4-inch iPhone as well as a new 9.7-inch iPad and more Apple Watch bands.
Christine McKee
Stephen Silver
Charles Martin
Amber Neely
50 Comments
Awesome. Straight out calling them liars.
Well done Cook.
Right on, Tim. Hold the line. Hold the line.
For me this shows (as I always thought after starting as the CEO) Tim Cook is more than only a capable, calculating CEO. He lives for the job and fights for Apple and a broader interest.
Let us hope that Tim's side of the argument prevails. This is not only a precedent ... it's history. A hundred years from now, people will look back on this as a watershed event in the struggle for freedom and personal liberty. History is not on our side, but perhaps cooler heads in positions of authority will realize that the DoJ has massively overstepped its boundaries.
True leadership.