By Jeff Weinstein
In the wake of the San Bernardino terrorist shooting, privacy rights are front and center stage. Should Apple comply with a court order that basically requires it to create a software program to open a cell phone? A cell phone that was not owned by a terrorist involved in the shooting, but a relative of one of the terrorists. Before you read further, what’s your opinion – Yes or No?
We live in some interesting times. The writing is on the wall that the future will involve terrorist activity unlike anything we have known in the past. The old days of attacks every now and then somewhere else in the world may soon be coming to an end. The attacks on US soil appear to be something our grandchildren may consider the norm. Do I sound pessimistic about the future of our safety? Maybe I am. I still believe in the good in all of us and believe that we are truly blessed to live in the greatest country on the face of the planet.
Do I think Apple should comply? Here’s my top three thought blurbs and then I’ll give my opinion.
1. The government has an obligation to protect us – the citizens of the United States of America. Within a couple of years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the “All Writs Act” became law. The Founding Fathers realized the need of the government to sometimes override privacy rights.
2. Apple has a right to protect its customers. I’m an Apple user. I respect Apple for creating all the amazing gadgets I enjoy using daily.
3. Terrorists suck and can kiss my a.. If you hate other people so much and can’t figure out how to get over it, hurt yourself – don’t take it out on innocent men, women and children that don’t even know who you are. Hurting someone in a sneak attack is what we grew up calling “chickensh*t.”
I don’t want the government to come to my office and demand that I do something that will ultimately affect my current or future customers. I want to follow the law and follow Court orders but not if it is going to harm my customers. My clients have the right to know that when they tell me something, it will remain confidential. I already have an obligation to report clients that disclose they may be a harm to themselves or others. I don’t want my obligations to go any further than what already exist.
I have to side with Apple here. They should not be required to write a software program that can break through their security algorithm. Sorry. That’s how I feel.
I realize the interests of the government in seeing information on the phone may be relevant and necessary, but I am not prepared to allow anyone in government to have the kind of freedom to invade privacy that would exist if Apple were required to do as currently ordered.
No. Period. End of story.
I agree with you!!! Well said!
No.
No !
Playing devil’s advocate…what is the risk associated with Apple if they do nothing, and then subsequently a terrorist attack is committed against innocent individuals and later it is revealed that the phone contained information that could have thwarted the attack. Apples assertion that creating a backdoor for the FBI could make its software vulnerable does not hold water with me. Apple has traditionally assisted the government in obtaining information from cell phone users for a variety of federal and state investigations. Why there stance towards this assistive posture changed, I do not know; but I believe it is disingenuous to stand on the principle of privacy rights now when their actions have not supported that position in the past.