THE encryption wars continue. Apple is still refusing the FBI鈥檚 request to help unlock an iPhone owned by San Bernardino bomber Syed Rizwan Farook, which the agency believes holds valuable evidence. Apple argues that doing so would weaken security for all iPhone users. The power struggle looks set to go all the way to the Supreme Court, and 鈥� surreally 鈥� may depend on a contemporary interpretation of a 1789 law called the All Writs Act.
You might think that new laws are the answer, but be careful what you wish for. Apple probably wouldn鈥檛 even get a hearing if the case were taking place in the UK. The revised Investigatory Powers Bill, released this week (see 鈥�New UK Snooper鈥檚 charter still gives state wide hacking powers鈥�), suggests that companies would be compelled to remove 鈥渆lectronic protections鈥� they have applied to their users鈥� messages and devices.
Advertisement
Should the bill pass into law, it is difficult to see how Apple could refuse to cooperate. And under gagging clauses in the bill, the company would also not be able to engage in the very public debate it has started in the US.
Encryption is hard to get worked up about. But the outcome of these fights will go a long way to decide the balance of power between governments鈥� desire to pry and citizens鈥� right to secrecy. That means you.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淭hose prying eyes鈥�
