Home > Umm, Apple iPhone security, yeah

Umm, Apple iPhone security, yeah

by Timbre Wolf - Open-Publishing - Wednesday 17 February 2016

Tim Cook has sent out a letter claiming great concern over an FBI request to create a “back door” for Apple’s iPhone OS.

The implications of the government’s demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone’s device to capture their data. The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone’s microphone or camera without your knowledge.

But take a look at this (from an article written in December 2013):

On Monday, security researcher Jacob Appelbaum and German news magazine Der Spiegel leaked documents (see below) accusing the National Security Agency of snooping on all communications sent from Apple iPhones.

Using an alleged spyware implant called "DROPOUTJEEP," the agency can reportedly intercept SMS messages and voicemails, access contact lists, locate a phone using cell tower data, and even activate the device’s microphone and camera.

So Tim . . . what’s up? This looks more like a psyops move than genuine concern over the violation of the iPhone’s “encryption.”

Sure, the FBI is not the NSA, and vice versa, but weren’t they all encouraged to share with each other after 9/11 (01) anyway?

And WHAT in god’s name does this even mean?

For years, cryptologists and national security experts have been warning against weakening encryption. Doing so would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data. Criminals and bad actors will still encrypt, using tools that are readily available to them.

What does it mean? Tim?