FBI vs Apple Inc.

WHAT'S THE SITUATION?

Following the San Barnardino attack, the United States government requested tech giant Apple to allow them to bypass security on iOS devices.

The FBI wanted to be able to unlock the iPhone of a suspect to be able to gather evidence.

Apple vehemently oposed the FBI order and posted a letter on Feburary 16.

"We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand."

Encyrption for Dummies

Encyrption for Dummies

ALI

BOB

Type 1

Encyrption for Dummies

ALI

BOB

Type 2

SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?

The FBI wants Apple to create a backdoor, esentially going from type 2 encyrption to the less secure type 1 encryption.*

*Way more complicated than that

Like Calvin, the government will be able to intercept and read our personal data including messages, photos, emails, etc. 

And so will hackers... and foreign governments... and spys

What role does reason and faith play in the legal and ethical decisions regarding our privacy and national security?

Lets watch this video...

If the FBI wins this case in court, Uncle Sam will have control over that lever instead of individuals...

Is it reasonable to revert to a less secure form of encryption or put faith in government officials to make ethical decisions regarding our data?

FBI:

• "Apple chose to protect a dead ISIS terrorist’s privacy over the security of the American people... Apple is becoming the company of choice for terrorists, drug dealers, and sexual predators of all sorts." - Tom Cotton (Arkansas Republican Senator)

• "To think that Apple won’t allow us to get into her (sic) cell phone. Who do they think they are?” - Donald Trump

Apple:

• Smartphones have become an extension of our memories and experiences. It is unethical to use that information as incriminating evidence.

• Not only can the government access private data, so can hackers.

Why is it not reasonable to trust the government?

The problem with the backdoor in encryption software is multi-dimentional.

We wouldn't know when the government is accessing our data. We don't know if they have a warrent. Using the All Writs Act, the FBI is trying to expand its power.

The backdoor software the government is trying to attain from Apple will increase government corruption and conflict of political interest.

Once Apple gives the golden key to one government, it has to give the key to every government - eliminating accountability and increasing the chance of a data breach.

The whole point of encryption is that only one person is supposed to hold the private key. There are forms of encryption where a backdoor is theoretically imposible. 

Does giving away our privacy ensure our safety? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for ensuring safety of passengers on commercial airlines and airports. It has been researched that the TSA has not prevented a single terrorist attack. A fake sense of security is worse than no security. 

Our faith in the government must extend past their ability to represent us politically, but also morally and ethically.

For many people there is emotion involved when taking ethical decisions. Our morals do not only arrive from our ability to reason but also our emotions and feelings.

When pushing the fat person in front of the trolley, many people feel that it is wrong or immoral.

Intuition fails us when we try to search for why some ethical decisions are made by logic and reason and others from emotion.

So who's right?

It depends

If you look at this from a reasonable standpoint, the FBI has a point and a duty to protect the lifes of many over the privacy of one.

If instead this is viewed as a moral decision requiring emotion and feeling, it is much more difficult to sacrifice the privacy of individuals especially when it is uncertain that the information will help ensure the security of the many.

BIASED MUCH?

My viewpoint has been significantly shifted towards Apple's viewpoint.

As a software developer, I strive to make my programs more secure. It makes little sense to purposefully weaken the integrity of the software.

Many individuals older than I would disagree with my viewpoint. They have generally not grow up with technology and are not concerned as much about the implications of breaching the security of personal devices.

The Patriot Act of 2001 and the events regarding Guantanomo Bay have influenced the way I think about the government having control over our right to privacy.

Get this over with already

There's a lot of legal precedent hanging over this case.

If the FBI wins this case, who knows what they will ask for next. Will our personal computers, devices, or even toasters be private?

An identity is worth pennies compared to a life. A full identity including government documents, bank accounts, etc. on the black market sells for $1,200 to $1,300. Maybe the FBI has a point here?

• Does an individual have a right to their privacy?            

• Do we choose who has control over our information in this commercialized society?

• Since the government is an extension of ourselves, merely a representation of the people, does that mean that the people do not have a right to people?

• How individualized is privacy? Is there a one-size-fits-all with privacy?

Discussion Questions

Bibliography

11 juiciest arguments made in the Apple vs. FBI iPhone fight. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-apple-fbi-fight-11-juiciest-arguments-made-in-public-court-filings/

Apple vs. FBI: The tip of the iceberg as laws can't keep up with tech. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2016/03/04/apple-vs-fbi-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-as-laws-cant-keep-up-with-tech/

Can You Solve This Dilemma? ft. Vsauce3! (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xHKxrc0PHg

Customer Letter - Apple. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://www.apple.com/customer-letter/

HTG Explains: What is Encryption and How Does It Work? (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/33949/htg-explains-what-is-encryption-and-how-does-it-work/

How Much are Your Body Parts Worth on the Black Market? (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://ksfm.cbslocal.com/2012/04/23/how-much-are-your-body-parts-worth-on-the-black-market/

The Black Market Value Of Your Identity | Bankrate.com. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit/what-your-identity-is-worth-on-black-market.aspx

Theory of knowledge guide. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016.

What is the USA Patriot Web. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2016, from https://www.justice.gov/archive/ll/highlights.htm