Almost everyone is happy about iOS 8’s recent privacy upgrade, which means that Apple can’t unlock your phone as part of an investigation. Almost everyone, that is, except for the FBI.
Speaking with reporters Thursday, FBI director James Comey described himself as “very concerned” by steps tech companies like Apple are taking to strengthen privacy on mobile devices.
“I am a huge believer in the rule of law, but I am also a believer that no one in this country is beyond the law,” Comey said. “What concerns me about this is companies marketing something expressly to allow people to place themselves above the law.”
As part of its transition to iOS 8, Apple amended its privacy policy to state that:
“On devices running iOS 8, your personal data such as photos, messages (including attachments), email, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes, and reminders is placed under the protection of your passcode. Unlike our competitors, Apple cannot bypass your passcode and therefore cannot access this data. So it’s not technically feasible for us to respond to government warrants for the extraction of this data from devices in their possession running iOS 8.”
In May this year Apple tweaked its policy so that it would now alert users whenever the NSA requested their data.
In his Thursday interview, Comey said that although he understands the need for privacy, it is also important that governments can access mobile devices in situations such as terror attacks.
“I like and believe very much that we should have to obtain a warrant from an independent judge to be able to take the content of anyone’s closet or their smart phone,” he said. “The notion that someone would market a closet that could never be opened — even if it involves a case involving a child kidnapper and a court order — to me does not make any sense.”
Google has recently announced security measures for Android devices similar to those of iOS 8.
Via: Huffington Post
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
7 responses to “FBI director ‘very concerned’ about iOS 8 privacy features”
This made me laugh… And cry. Privacy features that are “Above the law,” include keeping the government from snooping on our phones. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this a right granted by the fourth amendment? Looks like the government is trying to take away even MORE “rights.”
Funny only usa has a complaint about that.., no 1 else care
Maybe if the government hadn’t given us all the impression that they were flouting the laws themselves by spying on US citizens then perhaps things wouldn’t be heading in this direction and they wouldn’t have (what could have been) a legitimate gripe.
This is a joke, and a violation of privacy. They don’t need access to the device they can simply serve you a warrant thus forcing you to unlock the device for them. THE SIMPLE FACT HERE IS THEY WANT ACCESS WITH OUT INFORMING YOU THAT THEY ARE LOOKING THOUGH YOUR DATA.. Steve jobs legacy is maintaining the integrity of security and opposing such privacy violations from the government and other agencies. With that said lets hope Tim Cook upholds this fight and not cave in.
This is simply a stage in a pre-planned sequence to convince users to relinquish control of their personal data. Apple are a branch of the so-called governmental control policy, in case that fact had slipped by.
Try not to babble next time
Agreed