Apple should not comply with FBI orders to create ‘backdoor’ software

On Wednesday, in a symbolic response to the legal battle between Apple and the FBI, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery announced he will no longer be providing iPhones for his staff.

For those who may not know, here’s a (somewhat) quick rundown: The FBI is trying to gain access to data on a cell phone used by Syed Farook, one of the San Bernardino shooters.

With a federal court order, the organization asked Apple to create a new software that would override a self-destruct feature, which erases the phone’s data after 10 unsuccessful password attempts, and bypass time constraints after entering a wrong password.

In short, the FBI wants the ability to try out different password combinations until it finds the right one without any limitations or barriers.

In an open letter, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook basically said, “Um, no” and has remained defiant on his stance, saying the move would be “bad for America,” making the current iPhone operating system vulnerable to hackers.

The FBI has provided evidence that Apple has unlocked iPhones in previous cases, but Apple claims that those phones were earlier versions working on non-encrypted operating systems.

Obviously, both sides are digging in and this issue will remain in the court system for the time being. In the meantime, I have to say — unlike Microsoft mogul Bill Gates — I am siding with Apple here.

It seems like the Feds are looking for a magic bean from which they expect to grow a large stalk and they think that magic bean comes with an Apple logo.

The fact of the matter is simple: the Feds don’t need this punk’s iPhone.

I find it hard to believe that with the combined efforts of the FBI, NSA, CIA, local law enforcement and, well, the United States government, officials can’t get a grip on the how, who and why of this attack without an iPhone contact list and Angry Birds high score.

This would open up a huge can of security and privacy worms if the government can strong arm their way in.

Lets be honest: the government does not have very good track record of being given an inch and not taking a mile. That just doesn’t sit very well with me or my iPhone.

As for Bill Montgomery’s staff, best of luck with your Motorola Razr flip phones.

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