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Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

theguardian.com

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Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#11

Post by wtbob »

jokoon wrote: post #8

Well I can't expect HN to agree with this article, but let's face it, technologies pose new political questions. I think the argument about the iPhone backdoor software is a slippery slope one. As long as the judicial system use mandates and the process is transparent, I think you can't really complain. This is what Snowden is about. We're talking about homeland defense here, the Islamic State is on the rise, so I wo…

> As long as the judicial system use mandates and the process is transparent, I think you can't really complain.

I completely agree that the State can compel anyone to do anything he is able to do. That's why it's so vitally important to build systems which don't allow anyone but the owner to authorise changes.

Apple shouldn't be able to install an app or update OS code without an iPhone owner okaying the change. Google shouldn't be able to read my WiFi password. Mirosoft shouldn't be able to read my OneDrive files.

If it's not possible for someone to do something, then he can't be compelled to do it.

In this particular case, the actual owner (the county) should have maintained an ability to access the phone at any time, but they didn't.

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#13

Post by venomsnake »

wtbob wrote: post #11
jokoon wrote: post #8

Well I can't expect HN to agree with this article, but let's face it, technologies pose new political questions. I think the argument about the iPhone backdoor software is a slippery slope one. As long as the judicial system use mandates and the process is transparent, I think you can't really complain. This is what Snowden is about. We're talking about homeland defense here, the Islamic State is on the rise, so I wo…

> As long as the judicial system use mandates and the process is transparent, I think you can't really complain. I completely agree that the State can compel anyone to do anything he is able to do. That's why it's so vitally important to build systems which don't allow anyone but the owner to authorise changes. Apple shouldn't be able to install an app or update OS code without an iPhone owner okaying the change. Goo…

If we define ownership as "having the ultimate control" - the actual owner of every iPhone ever sold is apple.

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#14

Post by matthewmacleod »

estefan wrote: post #2

WTF? Two completely unrelated stories in one. I quit the Guardian last month and this is one reason why...

You're reading a leader – in print, this would traditionally be printed all on the same page, covering a couple of issues and stating the opinion of the newspaper.

It's certainly ubiquitous and familiar in the UK (I don't know about internationally) and it's not at all unusual.

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#16

Post by matthewmacleod »

p01926 wrote: post #4

You can almost hear the Guardian's business leader writers rubbing their hands at the prospect. Which is as shameful and shortsighted as it is atypical for the Guardian. I would guess the team behind this article are acutely aware of the rate their owners are burning through cash and are anticipating massive layoffs soon. Perhaps they're looking for a lifeboat with the Apple-despising Financial Times?

I'm missing what statement you're trying to make here – the point of the article is that the tech sector, which has traditionally be very unregulated, is starting to bump up against issues around wider social impact and state regulation.

That may or may not be true, but I don't really understand why you've reacted so negatively to what seems to be a quite valid view to take.

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#17

Post by mc808 »

jokoon wrote: post #8

Well I can't expect HN to agree with this article, but let's face it, technologies pose new political questions. I think the argument about the iPhone backdoor software is a slippery slope one. As long as the judicial system use mandates and the process is transparent, I think you can't really complain. This is what Snowden is about. We're talking about homeland defense here, the Islamic State is on the rise, so I wo…

I am indeed careful or even hesitant about defending Apple because I abhor most of their business practices, but they are 100% right in fighting back against involuntary servitude here. The FBI and judges can't just march around and force people to write software for them.

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#18

Post by mark_l_watson »

Unlike most comments here, I liked the Arcticle: a good summary of problems the big tech companies are having.

Personally I have huge sympathy for Apple in this case. I have less sympathy for Google and Facebook. Apple, admittedly for business reasons, has come out strongly supporting privacy and I think they should be awarded for that.

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#19

Post by rayiner »

It's hard being on the wrong side of prevailing sentiments, and when all this pans out I think people will be a little shocked at how the tech sector's enormous financial advantages will have carried less weight than anyone expected.

You can't win politics with money alone. You need a narrative that appeals to peoples' values. Privacy is not a winner in this regard, nor is unrestricted markets (note the leading republican candidate today is pushing an anti-free-trade message). People aren't going to reflexively favor technological progress for its own sake when they see it undermining things they care about (jobs, security, etc).

Re: Apple’s FBI battle is just the beginning of a reality check for the tech sector

#20

Post by rtpg »

venomsnake wrote: post #13
wtbob wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> As long as the judicial system use mandates and the process is transparent, I think you can't really complain. I completely agree that the State can compel anyone to do anything he is able to do. That's why it's so vitally important to build systems which don't allow anyone but the owner to authorise changes. Apple shouldn't be able to install an app or update OS code without an iPhone owner okaying the change. Goo…

If we define ownership as "having the ultimate control" - the actual owner of every iPhone ever sold is apple.

Not super true in newer versions of iOS where the update backdoor has been removed by requiring PIN code entry for OS updates.
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