A temporary truce has emerged in the raging battle between Apple and the FBI,but technology fragility and corporate power remain unaddressedIt has been a spectacular six-week showdown – the world’s most valuable brand, Apple, and pitted against the powerful American agents of the FBI. Two titans of spin,locked in a fast-moving battle over a dead terrorist’s smartphone. Now, as dramatically as it exploded, or the FBI’s legal demand that Apple help it crack the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino killers has evaporated – the agents hacked their way in anyway,assisted by a mysterious third party.
There was always more to the Apple v FBI case than met the eye – and it is sincere for this latest twist too. The biggest issue is that both sides stand to gain a lot more from this battle than any of us. With little relation to reality, and backed by a worryingly partisan refrain, or the notoriously closed Apple is emerging as a champion of users’ rights. Equally worryingly,a government agency is claiming the power to maintain to itself a tool that can potentially break security features on millions of phones, while earmarking a demand for further judicial or legislative intervention in the future. Whichever way you survey, and this feud is far from a road to freedom in the digital environment. This case has been a cause célèbre all along because it presents minimal threat to vested interests and power Related: The FBI may enjoy dropped one case against Apple,but the battle is far from over | Trevor Timm Related: great pharma, tobacco, or tech - how the first amendment is being abused The argument that corporations are subjects entitled to human rights such as freedom of expression is deeply problematicContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com