FBI Director: Apple & Google Encrypted Phones Will Help Murderers, Child Abusers

James Comey said encryption by default will make these phones a tool for criminals

"Encryption is nothing new. But the challenge to law enforcement and national security officials is markedly worse, with recent default encryption settings and encrypted devices and networks — all in the name of increased security and privacy. For example with Apple’s new operating system, the information stored on many iPhones and other Apple devices will be encrypted by default.

Shortly after Apple’s announcement, Google announced plans to follow suit with its Android operating system. This means the companies themselves will not be able to unlock phones, laptops, and tablets to reveal photos or documents or e-mail or stored texts or recordings in those instruments. Look, both companies are run by good people, who care deeply about public safety and national security — I know that —and they are responding to a market demand that they perceive.

But the place that this is leading us is one that I suggest we shouldn’t go without careful thought and debate as a country...

Encryption isn’t just a technical feature, it’s a part of a marketing strategy. But it will have very serious consequences for law enforcement and national security agencies at all levels. Sophisticated criminals will come to count on these means of evading detection. It’s the equivalent of a closet that can’t be opened; a safe deposit box that can’t be opened; a safe that can’t ever be cracked. And my question to facilitators of this conversation is: at what cost?

We’re seeing more and more [cases] where we believe significant evidence is on that phone or on that laptop, and we can’t crack the password. If this becomes the norm, I would suggest to you that homicide cases could be stalled, suspects could walk free, and child exploitation might not be discovered or prosecuted. Justice may be denied, because of a locked phone or an encrypted device.”

 

 

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