Facebook, Twitter and Google have joined the ranks of a growing number of tech companies announcing support for Apple’s decision to oppose a government order that would require it to weaken the security of its iOS devices.Executives of the companies either took to Twitter or released a public comment showing their support to Apple and thanked it for their fight to save consumers privacy.
First to support Apple and Cook’s decision was Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, who took to Twitter to say that “forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise users’ privacy.” In the end, Pichai says he looks forward to an open discussion on this serious issue.
1/5 Important post by @tim_cook. Forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise users’ privacy
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
2/5 We know that law enforcement and intelligence agencies face significant challenges in protecting the public against crime and terrorism
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
3/5 We build secure products to keep your information safe and we give law enforcement access to data based on valid legal orders
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
4/5 But that’s wholly different than requiring companies to enable hacking of customer devices & data. Could be a troubling precedent
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
5/5 Looking forward to a thoughtful and open discussion on this important issue
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) February 17, 2016
Following Pichai, In a tweet shared this afternoon, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey thanked Tim Cook for his leadership and said the company stands with Apple. In the tweet, Dorsey also links to Cook’s strongly worded open letter that calls the FBI’s software request “too dangerous to create.”
We stand with @tim_cook and Apple (and thank him for his leadership)! https://t.co/XrnGC9seZ4
— jack (@jack) February 18, 2016
Lastly, Facebook announced its support through a statement shared with USA Today, which says the company will “fight aggressively” against government requirements to weaken security. Facebook says the FBI’s demands “would create a chilling precedent.”
“We condemn terrorism and have total solidarity with victims of terror. Those who seek to praise, promote, or plan terrorist acts have no place on our services. We also appreciate the difficult and essential work of law enforcement to keep people safe,” the statement reads. “When we receive lawful requests from these authorities we comply. However, we will continue to fight aggressively against requirements for companies to weaken the security of their systems. These demands would create a chilling precedent and obstruct companies’ efforts to secure their products.”
The dispute between Apple and the FBI centers around the FBI’s request for a new version of iOS that would disable certain passcode security features on the shooter’s iPhone 5c. The FBI has made three demands of Apple, which are as follows:
1. Eliminate the auto-erase function that wipes an iPhone if the wrong passcode is entered 10 times.
2. Eliminate the delay that locks the FBI out of the iPhone if the wrong passcode is entered too many times in a row.
3. Implement a method that would allow the FBI to electronically enter a passcode using software.
Apple has gained a number of backers over the course of the last few days. Google CEO Sundar Pichai previously announced support for Apple, calling the FBI’s request a “troubling precedent” in a statement released yesterday. Apple also has the support of WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum and several advocacy groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, and the American Civil Liberties Union. Apple customers have created petitions and are attending rallies held in support of Apple’s willingness to fight for privacy protections.
As for Apple’s fight against the FBI, the court provided Apple with more time to respond to its order to unlock the iPhone 5c of the San Bernardino’s shooter. The court had initially given Apple 5 days to respond, but now the deadline has been extended to February 26. Tim Cook’s open letter made it pretty clear that the company will not be accepting the court order and will do whatever necessary to protect consumers privacy.
Google, Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook Show Their Support for Apple in Backdoor Dispute With FBI