San Bernadino, Apple and Data Encryption

[mirth]

The FBI is not asking Apple to retrieve the data. It is asking Apple to write and install a version of iOS that circumvents the passcode protections. If Apple does that, the FBI will crack the passcode and data encryption.

If Apple writes and installs a version of iOS with the backdoor that the FBI wants, the FBI will then have the phone and the compromised version of iOS. They will also have a precedent of forcing a private company to write a compromised version of its software for the government to use.

[OJsDad]

actually, the FBI isn't looking for Apple to decrypt the phone, the FBI will do that.  Just change those two settings, and the FBI will take over. 

[Staggerwing]

actually, the FBI isn't looking for Apple to decrypt the phone, the FBI will do that.  Just change those two settings, and the FBI will take over.

As Mirth said, the FBI wants to set a precedent of forcing a company to deploy a FBI-friendly version of it's software at the FBI's convenience to overwrite what is already on a device. Once that happens there is no effing way that the genie goes back in the privacy lamp since the rest of law enforcement is already queuing up to get their own cracked iOS.

[Bison]

There's some irony in the thought that Apple is the last bastion of protection for individual privacy.

[Staggerwing]

There's some irony in the thought that Apple is the last bastion of protection for individual privacy.

Not really. Their self concern about iOS's market share in relation to it's uncrackability is just another serendipitously tough brick in the slowly crumbling Firewall of Privacy.

[bbmike]

actually, the FBI isn't looking for Apple to decrypt the phone, the FBI will do that.  Just change those two settings, and the FBI will take over.

As Mirth said, the FBI wants to set a precedent of forcing a company to deploy a FBI-friendly version of it's software at the FBI's convenience to overwrite what is already on a device. Once that happens there is no effing way that the genie goes back in the privacy lamp since the rest of law enforcement is already queuing up to get their own cracked iOS.

That's not the way I understood the news report but granted that could be either due to me playing trying MOO while watching the news or the reporting itself. It sounded like all the FBI wanted was the information on the phone.

[airboy]

actually, the FBI isn't looking for Apple to decrypt the phone, the FBI will do that.  Just change those two settings, and the FBI will take over.

As Mirth said, the FBI wants to set a precedent of forcing a company to deploy a FBI-friendly version of it's software at the FBI's convenience to overwrite what is already on a device. Once that happens there is no effing way that the genie goes back in the privacy lamp since the rest of law enforcement is already queuing up to get their own cracked iOS.

What the Judge ordered was Apple to decrypt one phone.  You are confusing two different issues.

It is well established that if you go to a judge, obtain a search warrant, that individuals and firms have to cooperate. 

It is another issue entirely that the US Government order a company to have a "backdoor" on devices that allow the government to search with or without a warrant.

[bayonetbrant]

Yes, but there's already a dozen other cases waiting for this precedent so they can rush to the courthouse and use it to force Apple to decrypt others, too.

[mirth]

actually, the FBI isn't looking for Apple to decrypt the phone, the FBI will do that.  Just change those two settings, and the FBI will take over.

As Mirth said, the FBI wants to set a precedent of forcing a company to deploy a FBI-friendly version of it's software at the FBI's convenience to overwrite what is already on a device. Once that happens there is no effing way that the genie goes back in the privacy lamp since the rest of law enforcement is already queuing up to get their own cracked iOS.

What the Judge ordered was Apple to decrypt one phone.  You are confusing two different issues.

It is well established that if you go to a judge, obtain a search warrant, that individuals and firms have to cooperate. 

It is another issue entirely that the US Government order a company to have a "backdoor" on devices that allow the government to search with or without a warrant.

I recommend you read the court order. Specifically Sections 2 and 3.

https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6053155/in-the-matter-of-the-search.0.pdf

[mirth]

This is a good technical breakdown of the encryption and what the FBI could do to defeat it

https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-future/does-fbi-really-even-need-apples-help

[mirth]

Yes, but there's already a dozen other cases waiting for this precedent so they can rush to the courthouse and use it to force Apple to decrypt others, too.

Yup.

https://theintercept.com/2016/02/23/new-court-filing-reveals-apple-faces-12-other-requests-to-break-into-locked-iphones/

[mirth]

https://motherboard.vice.com/read/apple-fbi-should-ask-the-nsa-to-hack-shooters-iphone

[Staggerwing]

https://motherboard.vice.com/read/apple-fbi-should-ask-the-nsa-to-hack-shooters-iphone

The FBI doesn't want to run to the NSA every time it wants to peek inside an iPhone. It wants to set the precedent now that Apple just will have to create a cracked iOS release to go with every iOS version that is involved in an FBI investigation from here on in. There will no legal difference between this one iPhone and an iPhone used by some drug dealer, crooked politician, Call Girl with an interesting client list, or Four Star General having a fling with his comely biographer.

[bayonetbrant]

[Staggerwing]

LOL