But with all these great things, there are great downsides.
Viruses, overloaded updates on people you don’t want to keep up with
constantly, information leaks, stolen identity, cyber-crimes such as hacking, distancing ourselves from others (not staying close to those we love on a personal level), bullying… the list could go on. We are
told to change our passwords often. Don’t give out unnecessary information. Don’t
get addicted to social media – find a balance.
So we have a horrific event that costed way too many lives
in the United States. All because of a terrorist attack. Investigations start
rolling and information starts flowing. An iPhone comes into play. But it’s
locked. And the F.B.I., in their desire to put the pieces in place, decides
they need to access everything in the phone. They could ask Apple to hand over
the data in the iCloud. All they need is a warrant or maybe just a request.
Apple has been cooperative in the situation, so how hard would it be? But that’s
not good enough… They want to get into the phone themselves. A terrorist is most likely not going to store their plans in the iCloud. But they can’t get into the phone, its locked.
They don’t know the technology. They don’t have a key to bypass the encryption. And they don’t
have anyone smart enough to break into for them, apparently. So they want a way
in through the back door. Apple balks at such a thing. They don't have the access past the encryption. Then the F.B.I. does
what Apple said they would do. They don’t want it for just one phone now; they
want to open 9 iPhones. For the sake of American safety, they claim. For the
protection of future lives and the justice desired for those already lost. Now
Apple is really pushing back. But why? Don’t they want to serve and protect as
well? Yes. Of course they do. But think of the implications this can have on
the future. Think of the fallout. Think of the applications this can have for
all iPhone users present and future. This boils down to creating a way for the government
to walk into any iPhone, anywhere, regardless of the system, encryptions,
software. This is a get INTO jail card for Apple products. How so? You can
create this key for one or for 9 phones. You can open up a secured zone for a
brief moment to get what they need. But once they are in… they can go anywhere.
They can do anything. And this key isn’t restricted to just that one device. It’suniversal. Every single iPhone would be open to them. How would such a key be abused? Who’s to stop them from
looking into your device? And would you know about it? Not unless they come
after you. They wouldn’t have to say anything more than, “It’s the safety of
America.” Now sure, you could say that its okay. After all, you don’t have
anything to hide from the government, right? So who cares?! But here’s
something else to consider. How many times has the government been hacked? How
much information on weapons, military, or other government information been
leaked in the past few years? Do you want to risk handing them the keys to your
iPhone where a hacker can steal them? Then your identity is at risk. Think of
the apps on your phone. Banking, shopping, emails, text messages, phone logs…
What could happen to you if someone got that information? Would your life be
the same? No. People were furious when Target was hacked and bank accounts were
affected. I know only too well as I was a Target employee that dealt with irate
customers blaming me personally for something I had absolutely no control over.
What happens when the same occurs to Apple devices because the government gets
hacked? Everyone will blame Apple, right? Is it going to be their fault? No!
They did as asked and the government will be the ones dropping the ball in “protecting”
iPhone users. But this is all hypothetical for now. These are the things that
people are not thinking of for the future. Open your eyes folks! Be mindful of
what reactions could occur with these actions. Its not a simple “one case”
action. Once a key is made, there is no going back. There is only fighting for
your own safety.
Don’t think that Apple will be the only ones targeted for
such. Once Apple crumples and makes such a key, who is to say the government
won’t pursue others such as Android or Microsoft? Why not have a key for every
smart phone on the market? We already have our conversations on Skype being
recorded for government use. Facebook Messenger Apps has access to your text
messages and voice calls as well. Read the specifications one day on what they
require you to allow them access to before you download an app. Or even after
downloading an app. You’d be surprised at how much they access on your phone
that has nothing to do with them. But you give permission blindly. Why? You
just want the app. You don’t think about what comes with it besides the
usefulness it holds to you personally.
It is time to wake up, America. No, it is time for the world
to wake up. Everyone with a hand in technology needs to see that danger lurks
everywhere on the World Wide Web. And if you want to be safe from it, you
better watch what you share, what you click, and who is watching. Know your
rights. Guard your privacy. Don’t take “protection” that costs you your
privacy. It could ruin you in the long run. And most importantly, don’t bury
your head in the sand and pretend that you don’t have any investment in what’s
going on. If you own a device affected or that could be affected, keep up with
what is happening. And plan for whatever outcome may come into play.
Read this letter from Apple about what they say it means if my words aren't enough.