TechWeekEurope readers have backed law enforcement agencies in their ongoing battle with smartphone manufacturers to gain powers to access the content of suspect’s mobile devices – so long as it is a matter of national security.
According to the results of our recent poll, 46.9 percent of respondents said manufacturers should not be forced to unlock devices for government agencies, compared to 54.1 percent who said yes.
However just 12.6 percent said devices should be unlocked in any instance, with 40.5 percent stating such powers should only be reserved for emergencies.
The FBI said it would only use the code for this particular instance, but Apple said even the very existence of such a measure would fatally undermine the security of its products, damage the relationship with its customers and could be used in multiple instances.
Indeed, court documents have shown Apple has been asked on numerous occasions to unlock its devices, evidence which appears to suggest such code would not be used for a one-off.
However the FBI has now said it has ‘cracked’ the iPhone in question independently of Apple and has ended its court battle. The case could have had huge implications for encryption and privacy, but for now at least, we’ll never know what the outcome would have been.
Can you protect your privacy online? Take our quiz!
German foreign minister warns Russia will face consequences for “absolutely intolerable” cyberattack on ruling party,…
Google is reportedly laying off at least 200 staff from its “Core” organisation, including key…
Investor appeasement? Apple unveils huge $110 billion share buyback program, as sales of iPhone decline…
Tesla retreats from pioneering gigacasting manufacturing process, amid cost cutting and challenges at EV giant
No skynet please. After the US, UK and France pledge human only control of nuclear…
Microsoft's AI investments continue in south east Asia, after investments in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, as…