The Battle between FBI and Apple

This week, Apple CEO Tim Cook faced a problem since a court ordered Apple to unlock of the iPhone of Syed Rizwan Farook, a suspect in the San Bernadino terrorist attack last December. Cook refused to give FBI any more help since FBI asked Apple to write software to create a backdoor to their iOS operating system, which may compromise consumer privacy. Apple earned appreciation on social media due to the rejection of FBI since it stranded on costumer’s position to protect their privacy. Although the government may argue that the software would only be used in this case, there is no guarantees. However, Apple released a letter on the website on February 16, 2016 and expressed the need for encryption, which confused the costumers and leaded skepticism. However, it was still a right choice by Apple PR team to tell all the situation to the costumers. Cook showed transparency to earn people’s appreciation and their trust on Apple products. On another side, it is not humanity to not support FBI to investigate a crime. It may not fair to victims and their family members. ​As an Apple user, I worry about the privacy as well. However, if government force Apple to assist their inspection or Apple already corporates with FBI to get the data, I can do nothing and I shall not stop using Apple since it is very convenient and has occupied my life. Apple cannot insist on rejecting the federal government for a long time. Therefore, the noise from costumers seems useless and futile because it cannot impact anything towards Apple’s final decision (or federal government’s final decision). It maybe a show conducted by Apple PR team to gain more support and praises from costumers. The reason is that costumers have to accept the new iOS once Apple releases it, so everyone would have to accept the new system regardless of the fact that it may have potential danger of hacking.