You know a tech topic is of major importance when an afternoon has-been Chicago radio talk show host is talking about it. But for you, our readers, you know it’s of paramount importance when Google CEO Sundar Pichai weighs in on the side of Apple CEO Tim Cook. By now most everyone knows that the government has ordered Apple to decrypt an iPhone 5c that was used in the San Bernardino shootings. While the subpoena is solely requesting Apple supply a decrypting method for that phone alone, doing so would open the method to decrypting every other iPhone being used. That’s where things become a matter of privacy and security for the people. Here’s what Sundar Pichai posted on his Twitter just moments ago.
1/5 Important post by @tim_cook. Forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise users’ privacy
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
2/5 We know that law enforcement and intelligence agencies face significant challenges in protecting the public against crime and terrorism
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
3/5 We build secure products to keep your information safe and we give law enforcement access to data based on valid legal orders
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
4/5 But that’s wholly different than requiring companies to enable hacking of customer devices & data. Could be a troubling precedent
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
5/5 Looking forward to a thoughtful and open discussion on this important issue
— sundarpichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
This is an important issue and one that the government is attempting to skew as “protecting” the citizens of America. But what happens once the government has that access to phones across the land? What’s stopping them from using that power at will for whatever reason or without cause? If the Edward Snowden chronicles have taught us anything it’s that our government isn’t always honest with us.
What do you think? Do you stand with the government in this case? Or do you stand with Apple and Tim Cook? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
Last Updated on January 23, 2017.
