In the past week, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has released a statement regarding the privacy and protection of their products in response to a government plea in making a "backdoor" for the iPhone. The primary reason for this plea is that because of the San Bernardino case, the FBI wants to access the phones of the terrorists and those involved to figure out more about the event and other potential attacks. While there is support in doing this from people involved or closely associated with the tragedy, it would ultimately create a backdoor into the iPhone that could never be closed again, which is something we really don't want.
As expressed in the letter that Apple released, this tool isn't just a one-time deal. This tool threatens the integrity of Apple's security and privacy; once that software is out there, there's no way of knowing who will get their hands on it or if the government will use it again. This software can be used over and over again to get into anyone's iPhone or any product that runs iOS.
That's not something anyone wants — especially in today's day and age, where our phones hold a vast majority of our personal information. Also, the fact that we live in a society already where our information is always compromised, thinking back to the events of Target and other businesses where customers' credit card information was leaked, having access to anyone's phone through something like this says nothing but danger.
And while a tool of this magnitude could help future cases of terrorism or other major crimes, and while I understand why the victims of San Bernardino and those who have a strong emotional connection to the tragedy would want Apple to help the FBI, it just isn't a good thing for us in the long run. If Apple were to go through with what the FBI wants them to do, it would do more harm than good if anything. This software would compromise so much more than what has already been done in the past. It wouldn't just be credit card numbers anymore, it would be a person's entire identity.
Think about it. If Apple creates something that can bypass pass codes and other security aspects of the iPhone, do you really think the government will use that only this one time? Do you really think it'll be kept safely in the government's hands? Do you really think that other criminals/cyber-criminals wouldn't get their hands on it? I'm really not trying to sound like some kind of conspiracist, but I understand, and everyone should, as to why Apple doesn't want this backdoor created.
Thank you for keeping my security and safety as your number one priority. Thank you for not blindly following what the government asks from you. Thank you for sticking to your ideals and beliefs. Thank you, Apple.
