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Tim Cook starts today's Apple event with some words for the FBI
"We will not shrink from this responsibility." That's how Apple CEO Tim Cook started today's live "Loop You In" event, with a message about privacy, security and encryption. Cook said that Apple has a responsibility to protect its customers' data, noting that many people view their mobile devices as extensions of themselves. His words were aimed at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Apple has consistently and publicly refused the FBI's order to unlock the iPhone 5c used by one of the shooters in last December's San Bernardino terrorist attack. The FBI and Apple are locked in a legal battle over the issue.
Apple surprised at DoJ's request to cross-examine witnesses
On Wednesday the Department of Justice asked that its hearing with Apple on March 22 concerning the iPhone of San Bernardino shooter, Syed Farook be an evidentiary hearing. What that means is that both sides will be able to cross-examine witnesses that have made declarations to the courts. During a conference call with reporters, Apple attorneys said they were surprised by the last-minute request and said that this is something that should been asked for weeks ago.
Apple's response to DOJ filing in San Bernadino case: Nope!
Apple continues to refuse complying with the feds' demands to open up the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone 5c. Cupertino has filed a reply brief in response to the DOJ's filing, stating that the government is attempting to "rewrite history by portraying the [All Writs] Act as an all-powerful magic wand rather than the limited procedural tool it is." Apple also reiterated that to comply would be dangerous to the "security and privacy of millions of citizens." Company exec Eddy Cue expressed the same sentiments in the past.
John Oliver breaks down the San Bernardino iPhone case
John Oliver has earned himself a reputation for explaining politically complex topics in a way that anyone can understand during his Last Week Tonight talk show. After tackling net neutrality and Donald Trump, the comedian has turned his attention to the San Bernardino iPhone case. The legal tussle between Apple and the FBI has been all over the news recently, but the various arguments and counterarguments can be difficult to describe to someone that rarely reads about encryption, backdoors and government warrants. If you have friends or family that fall into this camp, Oliver's new 18-minute breakdown is a good place for them to start.
DOJ files a response to Apple in San Bernardino iPhone case (update)
The Department of Justice is not happy with Apple's refusal to unlock the iPhone 5c of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook, as stated in a response filed today. "By Apple's own reckoning, the corporation -- which grosses hundreds of billions of dollars a year -- would need to set aside as few as six of its 100,000 employees for perhaps as little as two weeks," the DOJ writes. "This burden, which is not unreasonable, is the direct result of Apple's deliberate marketing decision to engineer its products so that the government cannot search them, even with a warrant."
Apple's Eddy Cue on FBI iPhone feud: 'Where does it stop?'
Apple continues to make its case in the court of public opinion about its ongoing dispute with the FBI. In a Spanish interview with Univision, Senior VP Eddy Cue says that if the agency forces Apple to create software to unlock San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone, it would only benefit the bad guys. "If we make a key that opens all phones ... terrorists, criminals and pirates would find it," he says. Furthermore, Cue thinks that if its petition is successful, the FBI might make more sinister requests of Apple. "For example, one day they may want us to open your phone's camera and microphone."
Government using sci-fi, fantasy to justify iPhone unlocking
San Bernardino County's district attorney has made its argument as to why Apple should unlock Syed Farook's iPhone and it's, it's something. Ars Technica dug out the court filings in which officials claim that the device could have been used to introduce a "dormant cyber pathogen" onto government networks. Of course, there's no official definition of what that means, unless it's a fantastical euphemism for virus. The documents are so weirdly alarmist (and, you know, wrong) that San Bernardino itself has distanced itself from the filing.
Apple vs. the FBI: Catch up on the iPhone encryption hearing
Apple and the FBI spent five-and-a-half hours (!) testifying before Congress yesterday over the ongoing San Bernardino iPhone saga. And while there weren't any definitive conclusions, it was a chance for both sides to lay out their positions more clearly than ever before. Apple's General Counsel, Bruce Sewell, went up against FBI director James Comey at the hearing, which was overseen by the House Judiciary Committee. To recap, the FBI wants Apple to help it unlock an encrypted iPhone tied to the San Bernardino case by building a customized version of iOS. Apple, on the other hand, argues that doing so would compromise security of every iPhone moving forward.
Apple tells court FBI's request is 'unconstitutional'
The legal and PR battle between Apple and the FBI carries on with the company filing a motion to stop it from being forced to help unlock an encrypted iPhone. In the motion it states that complying with the FBI and DOJ will "undermine the basic security and privacy interests of hundreds of millions of individuals around the globe," and that "the Constitution forbids it."
Microsoft has Apple's back in FBI iPhone dispute
The tech industry support is beginning to coalesse around Apple in its fight with the FBI. Microsoft's President and Chief Legal Officer, Brad Smith, announced on Thursday that his company would file an amicus brief to support its longtime rival. Smith also renewed calls for congressional hearings to form new legislation that would better balance user privacy concerns with law enforcement and national security needs.
Tim Cook: Unlocking terrorist's iPhone would be 'bad for America' (updated)
Apple has been in an ongoing legal fight with the government regarding the iPhone of terrorist, Syed Rizwan Farook. While the United States has filed motions compelling the company to help it circumvent the passcode of the device, the company and CEO Tim Cook have publicly refused via an open letter stating that doing so would jeopardize the safety and privacy of its customers.
There's more than just one iPhone the US wants to access
Remember when the head of the FBI swore blind that authorities only wanted backdoor access to the iPhone in this one, special case? Turns out that his friends over at the Justice Department just blew that claim miles out of the water. The Wall Street Journal has revealed that the DOJ is currently pushing court cases to get access to the data on no less than 12 different iPhones. The paper's sources say that officials are using the All Writs Act, the same 18th-century law that the FBI feels justifies its request for a backdoor.
Bill Gates sides with FBI over iPhone access issue (updated)
Bill Gates says that Apple should help the FBI break open the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone. Talking to the Financial Times, he said this was a very specific case: "They are not asking for some general thing." Gates has taken a different view compared to major tech companies: Facebook, Google and Twitter have all sided with Apple's stance after a judged ruled that the company needs to help the FBI in unlocking the shooter's phone to assist in their terrorism investigations.
Tim Cook wants the US to reform its intelligence policies
Tim Cook believes that the US should launch a commission to reform the country's intelligence gathering policies. The admission came at the tail end of an internal memo that further explains Apple's stance on the San Bernadino iPhone. After thanking employees and members of the public for their support, Cook explains that it "does not feel right to be on the opposite of government." Despite this, he stands firm on refusing to create a cracked version of iOS that would be used to access Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone data. He adds that Apple has always helped authorities to pursue terrorists and did so to the best of its ability in this case, too.
FBI chief 'not trying to set precedent' with shooter's iPhone
FBI Director James Comey has penned an editorial about its dispute with Apple over unlocking the iPhone of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook. In it, he tried to quell criticism by Apple's Tim Cook that a court's decision forcing Apple to help the FBI access the device could have "chilling" implications. "The San Bernardino litigation isn't about trying to set a precedent or send any kind of message," says Comey. "We don't want to break anyone's encryption or set a master key loose on the land. It is about the victims and justice. We owe them a thorough and professional investigation."
What you need to know about Apple's fight with the FBI
The iPhone 5c belonging to Syed Rizwan Farook, the man behind the San Bernardino terror attack that left 14 dead, is in the hands of the FBI. It could -- potentially -- contain information about the shooting, including the names and contact information of other terrorists. The handset might even contain evidence of other planned attacks. But the FBI isn't sure, because Farook's iPhone, like many devices, has a passcode. That numerical PIN is now at the center of one the most important privacy debates in recent memory.
FBI could use dead suspects' fingerprints to open iPhones
Having been denied by Apple, despite having a court order, the Federal Bureau of Investigations is quickly running out of options in its efforts to unlock one of the San Bernardino shooter's cell phones. They can't brute force the phone open for fear of the device wiping its data if they guess the wrong passcode too many times and many commercially available hacking tools require the phone already be unlocked. While the FBI is hamstrung in this specific investigation, the solution for similar cases in the future might instead lie with a mobile device's fingerprint reader.
Tim Cook: FBI backdoor order is 'chilling' and 'dangerous'
After it emerged that the FBI was demanding that Apple create a backdoor in its iOS software to help agents access information on the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone, CEO Tim Cook has taken the unusual step of publicly commenting on the matter. In an open letter posted to the company's website, Cook details Apple's involvement in the case, when a locked iPhone was recovered following a terrorist attack that killed 14 people and injured 22 more on December 2nd, and explains why it's "too dangerous" for the company to acquiesce to government demands.
Judge tells Apple to help FBI access San Bernardino shooters' iPhone
After a couple shot 14 people in San Bernardino, CA before being killed themselves on December 2nd, the authorities recovered a locked iPhone. Since then, the FBI has complained it is unable to break the device's encryption, in a case that it has implied supports its desire for tech companies to make sure it can always have a way in. Today the Associated Press reports that a US magistrate judge has directed Apple to help the FBI find a way in. According to NBC News, the model in question is an iPhone 5c, but Apple has said that at least as of iOS 8 it does not have a way to bypass the passcode on a locked phone.
California gang members to sport GPS trackers
Things just seem to be going downhill ever since the courts ruled that dodgy GPS tracking wasn't unlawful, and here again we're seeing Big Brother tactics being used to keep a sharp eye on ex-criminals. While no variety of console is being handed out to folks who rat out San Bernardino County gang members, officials are hoping to get several Senate Bills and an Assembly Bill passed which would divvy out "harsher punishments and monitoring standards for gang members." Essentially, ex-gang members would be required to sport GPS tracking devices so The Man can "track adult gang members currently on probation," which certainly would give them a reason to ponder whether jumping at the next temptation is really worth it. Currently, the pilot program is up and running in Apple Valley and Victorville, and so far "35 adult probationers have been fitted with GPS devices," but if you mischievous ones are counting on a lack of funding to dry this initiative up real quick like, you should probably know that Sentinel is providing the devices for the current program "at no cost."[Via TheRawFeed]
