Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), It is once again important news in all types of news media. But this time it is not because they have launched a ground-breaking device or have broken a new record, if not because of something very different: to face the US government to protect privacy of users above all else. And when I say "above all" it is above all, since they are not willing to give their arm to twist even though the FBI ask for their help in unlocking the iPhone 5c of a sniper responsible for a terrorist act that resulted in 14 deaths.
The debate is currently on the table between those who defend the importance of privacy (of data and even prevent access to the camera and microphone of mobile phones) and those who believe that privacy fullfilment of security requirements it's more important. But what should Apple do? Many media outlets agree that it should make things easier for law enforcement, but it is not what different organizations think that have stood up for users' rights.
FBI asks Apple to unlock sniper's iPhone 5c
Everything (or almost everything) begins when the FBI puts their hands on the sniper's lost phone. Looking for a way to find the terrorist, they ask Apple to create a special software so they can unlock the iPhone 5c and thus access the possible personal information of the offender.
Tim Cook responds in an open letter
The answer was immediate. The Cupertino company responded to the FBI's request in an open letter signed by the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, in which they assured that acceding to the FBI request would be a precedent that would threaten the safety of their clients with implications "far beyond legal". Apple insisted that the FBI asked them to create something too dangerous: a back door. But, as they have always maintained in Cupertino, these doors would not only be used by the forces of law, but it would only be a matter of time before malicious users exploited them.
According to the letter signed by Tim Cook, the US government claims that Apple believes a special software just for the sniper case, but the apple company thinks what many users think, that it is impossible to guarantee that this software will not be used to access other devices and that creating it would establish a dangerous precedent for future legal cases.
Large companies united in favor of user privacy
Since Tim Cook published his open letter, not a few technology companies and organizations have joined him in his crusade against the US government. Edward Snowden published a series of tweets in which he assured that what Apple has done for privacy is the most important thing that has been done by users in the last decade, at the same time that he criticized Google for not doing the same. But, shortly thereafter, the CEO of the now-part Alphabet company published several tweets supporting Tim Cook. Finally, the RGS has also published a statement in which they ensure that they are available to the forces of law, as long as they make legal requests and respect the privacy of users.
The Reform Government Surveillance companies believe that it is extremely important to deter terrorists and criminals and to assist law enforcement by processing legal requests for information to keep us safe. But tech companies shouldn't be required to create back doors to technologies that keep user information safe. RGS companies remain committed to providing the law enforcement assistance they need while protecting the security of their customers and their information.
It must be recognized that the subject is delicate. In my opinion, criminals always find a way to commit their crimes and providing law enforcement with a way to access mobile devices is not going to stop them. In the end, as always, the only ones who have something to lose are the users who do not intend to commit any crime, and we lose something that should matter to us: our privacy. That is the reason why I believe that both Apple and all the companies that support its position are acting as they should. For once they have come together to benefit users and tweets by famous activist Edward Snowden only confirm the importance of what Apple has started.
If they asked you: what would you say? Are you with Apple or the FBI?