With the potential to become the biggest news story of the decade, it’s probably about time we look into the possible implications the ongoing Apple vs FBI debate may have on us all.
Now, this story is massive, so massive, that shortening it into a 650 word blog post is virtually impossible. Instead, I’ll give you a quick background of what this battle is all about, assuming you’ve not already been following the story yourself.
On December 2nd 2015, there were shootings in San Bernardino, California – 14 people were killed, 22 injured – The gunmen were killed in an exchange with police, an iPhone was retrieved. The FBI want full access to this phone to uncover a suspected network of terrorists, and are encouraging Apple to create a method of breaking into this specific phone (Apple are labelling this a ‘backdoor’). Sounds good so far, right?
Wrong, the FBI reportedly intend on keeping hold of the technology, thus allowing further opportunities to break into the phone(s) of terrorism suspects, potentially preventing similar events. This is what has caused the debate; if the technology is created, it can be hacked. It doesn’t matter if it’s you, me, Sainsbury’s or the FBI, someone will always find a way in. The backbone of public debate is the fact it’s a personal privacy vs. national security, which side do you support?
Anyway, that’s the jist of what’s going on and why it’s a problem, so why is it relevant to you and why should you be concerned about this ruling on either side?
Judge rules in the FBIs favour: Apple create ‘backdoor’
Based on online opinion, this seems to be the one people most fear. Let’s assume Apple have created the software and it has been successful in retrieving the data the FBI wanted, the world is aware of the success and hackers worldwide are now aware of two key things: The FBI hold an iPhone ‘master key’ and Apple phones will be more vulnerable to hackers. It then becomes a contest of who can get there first; hours, days, months, years – someone will eventually make a breakthrough. The ‘backdoor’ is shared across the hackersphere and gets into the wrong hands. Bank details are stolen, cameras and private photos are accessed and shared online, contact details are obtained. The FBI step up surveillance, the software is shared across the pond, we move ever-closer to a real life version Big Brother.
Judge rules in favour of Apple: Everything stays how it is
You’d think there wouldn’t be much more to this, other than ‘nothing changes and we get on with our lives’. However, thanks to this story going public, it’s now common knowledge that Apple (apparently) can’t even access some information, meaning neither can the FBI. What makes this a problem, is future terrorism suspects will believe they are invincible if they communicate via iPhone, more events similar to San Bernardino occur, the entire Apple brand becomes tarnished as the go-to phone for terrorists, and we all wonder how much easier it would have been if Apple just gave into the FBI request.
Are you just exaggerating?
Unfortunately, I’m really not, when I said this could be the biggest story of the decade, I meant it. Regardless of the ruling, there is a significantly high chance this story will be the first step into changing the entire digital landscape as we know it – our jobs and personal lives could be affected as a direct consequence. Yes, this is all based in America, but Apple products are everywhere and it would be naive to assume our own secret service wouldn’t be interested in the technology should the FBI get hold of it. There’s still a long way to go before we know for definite what will come of this battle, but it’s worth brushing up on it all now before it gets even more complex.
Oh and by the way, there’s absolutely nothing we can do about any of it.
