USA

Apple settles with the U.S. government

Apple wants in spite of a court order, the FBI access to customer data on iPhones refuse. Because this would have far-reaching “scary” consequences, argues the group.

Logo on an Apple store

Apple’s commitment to unknackbarer encryption is so far the toughest test: The company ventures to a showdown with the U.S. government, to the encryption on its iPhones to defend. A judge had previously ruled that Apple the FBI to help had access to the data on the iPhone one of the assassins of California. In the attack in San Bernardino had two suspected Islamists in a December 14 people are killed, before you even killed by the police.

This escalates the current debate on encryption and terrorism, and the group device under massive pressure. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced resistance against the demands of the court. You would be an “unprecedented step, the safety of our customers at risk,” he wrote in an open letter. “The government calls on Apple to do their own customers to chop.” The investigators know the password for the iPhone, the attacker does not, and Apple should the authorities of “reasonable technical assistance” to Unlock the phone offer, said the California judge Sheri Pym.

Tashfeen Malik and Syed Rizwan Farook, the murderer of San Bernardino

It is mainly due to the cancellation of the function, all data of the device deletes, when ten Times an incorrect password has been entered. In addition, should Apple it the Federal police FBI to enable the passwords on the screen, but via electronic interfaces to enter. This would allow investigators significantly faster different combinations to try to find the right one.

“Danger for national security”

Apple stresses that the group is currently not technically able to be the encryption of the devices and data is undermined, and a lot of information to the users at all access. These include, among other things, text from Apple’s SMS Alternative, iMessage, at least as long as you are not in the in-house Online storage service, iCloud will be backed up.

Representatives of the US government have last time and again the use of certain encryption technology as a threat to national security and as an obstacle to criminal investigations referred to. Like other technology companies fighting Apple vehemently against claims for “back doors” for government agencies. The Argument is that such gaps are not only of the government but also from Criminals could be exploited. According to experts, threatens US technology companies such as Apple or Google in addition, competitive disadvantages, when you are these claims to bend. The companies have the end of 2014, significantly more extensive types of encryption systems are introduced. They responded so well to the announcement of the US-ausspähprogramme be that the Ex-Geheimdienstmitarbeiter Edward Snowden publicly made.

Headquarters of the US secret NSA, whose Abhöraktivitäten Apple for stronger encryption have moved

Cook stressed that Apple got the FBI as required supports and the investigators of the group, this data is made available. Apple have no sympathy for terrorists. “But now, the US government has asked for something, what we simply do not have – and also too dangerous, to find, to create. You have asked us a backdoor to the iPhone.” In the wrong hands could such a Software does not exist today” – every iPhone unlock, someone in his power to have warned Cook.

The iPhone, to the it, was of Syed Rizwan Farook been used, together with his wife at the beginning of December 14 people in California’s San Bernardino shot. The Couple, that the terrorist organization “Islamic state” (IS) support is supposed to have died in a skirmish with the police.

Master key for million doors

The phone belongs to the local authority, at the Farook worked, these are known but the password is not. The FBI suggested that Apple should use the Software in a way that only on a phone with the corresponding serial number could walk. But as easy it is not, said Cook. “Once it was created, this method could always be applied to any number of devices.” He contrasted this with a General key, of the hundreds of millions of doors of Restaurants and banks, to residential homes could open. The step could also be given the legal basis in a law of 1789 and the “scary” consequences, warned Cook the customers. “The government could use this invasion of privacy to extend and claiming that Apple is Monitoring Software developed your messages, intercepts, access to their health data or financial information gives, your whereabouts tracked, or even without your Knowledge on the camera or microphone of your phone is accessing.”

Apple used iPhones unlock in newer versions of the operating system iOS has this capability but used. Among other things, it was also about the use of iPhones after a theft to make it impossible. The device in question is an iPhone 5c. Experts stressed, it is easier to crack than more modern devices with a fingerprint Sensor, in addition, a Hardware security of the Chip to be protected. Even if Apple cooperate, there could be a strong password but take years to it through Attempts to guess will.

stu/kle (afp, dpa)