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Andre Ruiz
Professor Dursema
English 1010
8 Mar 2016
Apple V. the FBI
In recent news, Apple has been the in key technology and rights topics.
Apple has been the target for a heated lawsuit which has brought many eyes
to the topic of encryption. On December 2, 2016 Syed Rizwan Farook and
Enrique Marquez operated a well planned attack of terror which left 14 dead
and 22 wounded. After the attack and the death of both shooters the FBI
found Farooks iPhone. In efforts to piece together the events prior to the
attack the FBI asked Apple to comply in accessing Farooks phone. Apple
developers were able to help as much as possible in granting access to
iCloud information and anything it could give. The FBI came back at a later
date demanding to unlock the iPhone to find more information on the
assailants. Apple denied the request, and in a response the FBI made a claim
in court demanding that Apple unlock the device. With many court hours and
numerous complaints, the FBI requested that Apples operating system, iOS,
have an easier way to enter when measures such as this case arise.
Weakening Apples iOS would create a much easier path for not only the
good guys, the FBI, but also any bad guy, the hackers. Weakening their
encryption would only make Apples consumers information easier to access.
Apple should not create weaker software to allow easier access into their iOS

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devices. By creating an easier way, or backdoor, to enter into devices there
would be no way to keep a cybercriminal away from abusing this newly
created frailty (Everything We Know About).
The FBI has long held the ability to enter into a suspects home with a
warrant. With this they are able to tear apart their homes and private
property in search of evidence and clues to piece a case. With Apple denying
this request which the FBI has put forth they have scrambled for
opportunities to overthrow the contest. The American Civil Liberties
Union(ACLU) came out with a statement in supporting Apple. This is an
unprecedented, unwise, and unlawful move by the government. The
Constitution does not permit the government to force companies to hack into
their customers devices, (Gershman). By forcing apple to hack into Farooks
iPhone many other customers would have seconds thoughts in whether to
choose Apple or any other device.
The FBI has since received much backlash from large tech companies,
the ACLU and activists. The idea of creating such a tool to make it easier just
for the FBI to enter has been scrutinized by the Electronic Frontier
Foundation. They gave an example of this backdoor just like putting a key
under a doormat and hoping only the FBI would find it when they would like
to enter your house. Creating this backdoor would not only be useful for the
good guys, but also the bad guys. Since there is a known way to enter into
the iPhone 5Cs software it can only be presumed that hackers worldwide are
attempting to also find this flaw in the iOS (Cassidy).

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With much of its users on edge from the current court cases and head
lines Apples CEO, Tim Cook made a statement pertaining the topic. He stated
that iPhones have the means by which customers keep all of their personal
information. Users of this technology keep sensitive information which are
vital for day-to-day life. Much information kept in customers devices have
private information which should be kept safe. Financial information,
conversations, pictures, private notes and other intimate content must be
well guarded to all measures. Cook stated that there is no way to create a
key to be used only once. This backdoor entry and tool would be duplicated
to be used in other cases. This tool would soon enough be found in the hands
of criminals who would be ready to tear through the most private of
information (Cook).
Apple has stated numerous times in its court processions the need to
keep their customers privacy safe. A statement from Apple made it very
clear the reason for withholding their resources for the FBIs orders. Apple
stated, The only way to guarantee that such a powerful tool isnt abused
and doesnt fall into the wrong hands is to never create it (Cassidy).
In the end of March the FBI dropped its lawsuit against Apple. They
found a third party company who was able to crack into Farooks iPhone.
With this new found method the FBI has been able to attain information
which they still have not disclosed. The FBI is deciding on what they will do
with their newly found way of cracking into the iPhones security features.

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Now that the FBI has found resources to enter in through a backdoor they
have attempted to use this technique on other devices (FBI Tests Reach).
It is the FBIs choice now to whether disclose how it has gained access
or not. The clock is ticking for when hackers will be able to find this same
way into the iOS. It is up to the FBI now to determine whether to prioritize
its own surveillance needs, or does it prioritize cybersecurity (FBI Tests
Reach). It has now been almost three weeks since they found the security
flaw and Apple still has not been notified of how the FBI were able to do it
(U.S. Renews Apple Fight) Regardless of the FBIs victory with this particular
phone, the tool does not work with newer model phones like the iPhone 5S
and 6 (Cassidy).
With the FBI not disclosing the flaws Apple developers will have to
attempt discovering it for themselves. By withholding this process the
government may be benefiting for now with other phones, but this may harm
Apple customers privacy. It is in the hands of the White House to whether
inform Apple developers so that they may fix this or keep using this for their
advantage. Officials have stated that it should be disclosing the information
soon, skeptics including the ACLU states that it may take them longer to
disclose such information (FBI Tests Reach).
With the Apple v. the FBI case gone and closed federal prosecutors
have looked into an overshadowed case which started in 2008. The case was
to help Brooklyn in a drug bust. Authorities were working with Apple in
attaining information from a locked device from one of the drug dealers. With

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the uproar of the FBI case authorities have felt confident in their ability to
hold up in court. It has not been stated whether Brooklyn is working with the
FBI in gaining the found method of cracking into the iPhone. Apple will still
continue to fight for the security of its customers in upholding the best
possible encryption measures (U.S Renews Apple Fight).
Apple should continue to fight for its customers intimate data.
Providing the master key to only the proper authorities would never be a safe
option. Weakening the iOS for iPhones will permit any cybercriminal the
ability to enter into anyones phone. By creaking this flaw Apple would
potentially lose customers. Anyones most sensitive information including
financial information, private notes, pictures and other personal information.
With technology changing progressively faster every day tech
companies must keep ahead of hackers. Fortunately, Apple is still ahead with
its newer devices. Federal authorities should not force Apple to weaken its
software for its own benefit. The FBI and other authorities should strongly
consider the potential threat it this backdoor can pose in the lives of millions
of Americans and millions of people worldwide.

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Works Cited
Barrett, Devlin. FBI Tests Reach of iPhone-Unlocking Tool. Wsj.com. Dow
Jones & Company,
31 Mar. 2016. Web. 1 Apr. 2016.
---. U.S. Renews Apple Fight. The Wall Street Journal 9-10 April 2016: VOL.
CCLXVII NO.
83, A5. Print.
Cassidy, John. Lessons Learned from Apple v. the FBI. Newyorker.com.
Cond Nast, 29 Mar.
2016. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
Cook, Tim. A Message to Our Customers. Apple.com. Apple Inc., 16 Feb.
2016. Web. 30 Mar.

2016

Everything We Know About the San Bernardino Terror Attack Investigation

so Far.
Latime.com. Los Angeles Time, 14 Dec. 2016. Web. 11 Apr. 2016.
Gershman, Jacob. Apple v. Justice Department: Politicians and Activists Take
Sides on
Encryption Order. Wsj.com. Dow Jones & Company, 17 Feb. 2016.
Web. 4 Apr. 2016.