There’s just no getting around it: FBI director James Comey isn’t a fan of encryption.
In an open letter, Comey writes that the kind of security seen on devices like the iPhone do more to hurt us than they do to help — potentially even aiding terrorist groups such as ISIS.
“I really am not a maniac (or at least my family says so),” he claims. “But my job is to try to keep people safe. In universal strong encryption, I see something that is with us already and growing every day that will inexorably affect my ability to do that job.”
Corey’s op-ed isn’t entirely designed to bash encryption. He notes that “there are lots of good things” about strong encryption that can protect us “from thieves of all kinds.” However, he writes that there are also significant costs involved.
“Public safety in the United States has relied for a couple centuries on the ability of the government, with predication, to obtain permission from a court to access the “papers and effects” and communications of Americans. The Fourth Amendment reflects a trade-off inherent in ordered liberty: To protect the public, the government sometimes needs to be able to see an individual’s stuff, but only under appropriate circumstances and with appropriate oversight.”
This isn’t the first time the FBI director has sounded off against the increasing tendency toward strong encryption on smartphone — a trend Apple has been instrumental in. When Apple made upgrades to the iOS privacy policy, meaning that the company can no longer unlock your phone as part of an investigation, Comey described himself as “very concerned” about the implications.
Tim Cook, meanwhile, has come down on the other side of the fence — saying that Apple “don’t read your emails, we don’t read your messages, we find it unacceptable to do that — I don’t want people reading mine!”
“None of us should accept that the government or a company or anybody should have access to all of our private information. This is a basic human right. We all have a right to privacy. We shouldn’t give it up. We shouldn’t give in to scare-mongering or to people who fundamentally don’t understand the details.”
In May, Apple put its name to an open letter to President Obama asking him to reject anti-encryption proposals.
“Strong encryption is the cornerstone of the modern information economy’s security,” argued the letter, which was signed by more than 140 tech companies, technologists, and civil society groups.
Yep, it’s probably safe to say that James Comey’s not an iPhone user!
Source: Lawfare
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.
9 responses to “FBI director: I don’t like encryption, but I’m not a maniac”
This is effectively proof that the FBI and related organizations are frustrated daily by private information they want to read but cannot because it’s encrypted. Keep on encrypting, people.
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Anything that would make it more difficult for the government to keep secrets from the people is fine for me.
Wait?! Are you saying the guv’ment doesn’t like people having privacy?! Wow what a shocker! Good job y’all keep this going!
Yes, we should let the government see everything we do…. cause they are so honest and pure and would never let that information get out … you know… Edward Snowden, the IRS supervisor who zapped his neighbor cause she would not sleep with him, etc, etc.
If the government could be trusted, then that would be one thing. But the government is made up of power crazy idiots and ego mongers, and even more evil people that just do not care about the average citizen. Yeah, we should so trust them /s.
There are plenty of good people in government. This isn’t about power as much wanting your job to be easier. Unfettered access to information makes their job easier. But one foundation of rights we expect in the U.S. and I think a basic right is the right to privacy. That’s why we have laws that require just cause to get a search warrant in most places.
Yes jlseattle, it would be easier. Easier still if people did not violate the law. BUT:
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Its the constitution of the USA. Its the TOP law, not to be violated by its law enforcers. Just a thought.
I look at digital devices you own or in your possession as private as the safe in your house. If you leave it on the sidewalk unlocked than you don’t have privacy. But if it is locked in your possession you should expect a level of privacy. I know it is frustrating to not have unfettered access to information to help you do your job. But in the same instance you should expect that some semblance of privacy is respected by agencies to the American public. We can’t just give unfettered access to our homes because we fear what a very few individuals might be hiding in their homes.
REMEMBER FOLKS… as the great Milton Friedman once said, “Concentrated Power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it”. Even if everyone spying on us today are all good people, imagine what could happen if some bad guy somehow gained power. That alone should encourage everyone to restrict the power of the government.