To become Partner #493: www.billstill.com, then Click "Subscribe”. Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a letter posted yesterday entitled, “A Message to Our Customers”, says the Obama Administration has demanded that Apple build in a back door to its highly-effective encryption system so that law enforcement can more effectively counter terrorism. This is a classic case of giving up liberty for security. Fortunately, Apple told the government, No. No one knows how the administration will react, so Cook is reaching out to the public for support for whatever reaction may come. “For many years, we have used encryption to protect our customers’ personal data because we believe it’s the only way to keep their information safe. We have even put that data out of our own reach, because we believe the contents of your iPhone are none of our business.” “When the FBI has requested data that’s in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants, as we have in the San Bernardino case. We have also made Apple engineers available to advise the FBI, and we’ve offered our best ideas on a number of investigative options at their disposal.” “ But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone.” “Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation. In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession.” “Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.” “We can find no precedent for an American company being forced to expose its customers to a greater risk of attack. For years, cryptologists and national security experts have been warning against weakening encryption. Doing so would hurt only the well-meaning and law-abiding citizens who rely on companies like Apple to protect their data.” Then Cook makes what is probably THE most important point in this cyber drama: “Criminals and bad actors will still encrypt, using tools that are readily available to them.” Right! It’s just like those who want to take away guns – they only take them away from the law-abiding public – the criminals will get them anyway. The biggest problem that Cook exposes is that Obama is willing to force Apple to write this hack through an executive order, instead of going through Congress. “Rather than asking for legislative action through Congress, the FBI is proposing an unprecedented use of the All Writs Act of 1789 to justify an expansion of its authority.” “The government would have us remove security features and add new capabilities to the operating system, allowing a passcode to be input electronically. This would make it easier to unlock an iPhone by “brute force,” trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer.” “The implications of the government’s demands are chilling. If the government can use the All Writs Act to make it easier to unlock your iPhone, it would have the power to reach into anyone’s device to capture their data.” “The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone’s microphone or camera without your knowledge.” At this point, knowing President Obama’s proclivities, I would not trust anything he wants to do. Tim Cook says Apple will oppose the order. He doesn’t specify whether this means a government lawsuit, or worse, a criminal indictment. But Apple needs our support. They are the only major Telecom who has not given in to building in backdoors in the past. “Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government.” “We are challenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.” “While we believe the FBI’s intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.” I’m still reporting from Washington. Good day.

Obama is now closing down Afghanistan.