Apple software VP Craig Federighi says that the US government’s demands represent a retrograde step for mobile security.
Federighi oversees the development of iOS. He’s frequently called on stage at Apple’s product launch events to talk through new features in OS X and iOS.
Now Federighi has had his say on the continuing war between the FBI and Apple through a Washington Post op-ed.
“The FBI, Justice Department and others in law enforcement are pressing us to turn back the clock to a less-secure time and less-secure technologies,” says Apple’s software chief. “They have suggested that the safeguards of iOS 7 were good enough and that we should simply go back to the security standards of 2013.”
As Federighi notes, iOS 7 has been breached by hackers since its launch. What’s more, some of these methods have been turned into products that those with less skill – and often more malice – can acquire and exploit.
What’s more, the piece points out that an insecure mobile OS can be the entry point for “criminals and terrorists who want to infiltrate systems and disrupt sensitive networks”.
Far from being an anti-terrorist measure, Federighi seems to suggest that the FBI’s request would actively strengthen the overall terrorist position.
Related: Apple vs FBI: Your questions answered
Federighi believes that the back door the FBI wants inserting into iOS “would become a weakness that hackers and criminals could use to wreak havoc on the privacy and personal safety of us all”.
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In conclusion, Federighi says that “to slow our pace, or reverse our progress, puts everyone at risk”.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.