In today’s world if you don’t have a smartphone you are out of the loop. We rely on these devices for our calls, texts, emails, entertainment, camera, internet access, and so much more. When a device is used for so many purposes, it can probably tell us a lot about it’s owner if we were to look through it. The FBI is hoping that this theory will ring true when they look through the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooter. The only problem is that they can’t access the info on the iPhone, and Apple refuses to help them even though a California judge has told them to. This raises the question: Where is the line when it comes to our right to privacy?
As of right now Apple’s devices are so secure that the company would have to create new software to bypass the security features on the iPhone. They are refusing to do this because once this software is developed, the FBI will most likely start taking advantage of this new ability, and will have almost no trouble getting permission because methods used in past cases usually become precedent. Other technology companies have rallied behind Apple, including Microsoft, whose general counsel said “the path to hell starts at the backdoor.” Although the judge ruled that Apple needed to help unlock the iPhone data, they are fighting back, and one thing that may help is that a New York judge just ruled in Apple’s favor in a similar case.
This is a hard topic to find a perfect solution for. On one hand, you don’t want to have to worry about your personal data being accessible, and as citizens we should always fight to keep our right to privacy as in tact as possible. On the other hand, the info on that phone, and many others, may be able to help solve or prevent crime. We’ll just have to see how this one plays out in court.