It has been hard to ignore the very prominent controversy between Apple and the FBI in recent headlines. Apple CEO Tim Cook has refused to help the FBI bypass security on an iPhone that belonged to Syed Farook, an Islamic terrorist who, along with his wife, shot and killed 14 people in San Bernardino, CA in December. Following the attack, the FBI was able to confirm that both suspects were affiliated with ISIS. In Cook’s “A Message To Our Customers” he explains that if Apple were to build a “backdoor” into the iPhone it would threaten the data security of all iPhone users and other Apple customers. Although Cook does provide sound reasoning for the company’s decision, this is a matter of national security, and Apple should assist the FBI in retrieving information off of Farook’s device.
For a company as large as Apple it is vital to be conscious its customers’ data security, and as Tim Cook mentioned, the company has spent years building a software that could ensure that safety. However, when considering whether or not they made the right decision in regards to Syed Farook's iPhone, we must consider the worst case scenarios. If Apple were to create a backdoor into the iPhone, then this creates the opportunity for hackers to access unlimited devices, and with that comes access to customers’ data.
This data could include messages, phone calls, photos, financial information, home addresses... whatever it is that an individual chooses to store on their phone. It is impossible to say what information a particular hacker would steal, or what they would do with it, but it is clear that there is potential harm here, and a violation of privacy. Although Apple would not be directly responsible for this invasion of privacy, Tim Cook feels that it is their responsibility to protect it, which is why Apple has chosen not help the FBI.
Now, let’s say Apple does decide to help the FBI and creates a backdoor into the iPhone, allowing the FBI to retrieve information off of Farook’s device. Knowing that Farook and his wife were affiliated with ISIS, it is entirely possible that his device contains plans for another terrorist attack on the United States. If the FBI is able to find these plans, or other valuable information, it could prevent another attack from occurring and save the lives of innocent American citizens.
As mentioned before it is impossible to know how minor, or how major the effects of creating a backdoor into the iPhone would be on Apple’s customers. What we do know is that the worse case scenario that could result in Apple’s refusal to help the FBI is far more dangerous than what could result if they do help. By all means, Apple is justified in their response, but the FBI has probable cause to search Farook’s device, and therefore, Apple should comply with their request to ensure the safety of United States Citizens.
