Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Mobile Encryption Has Law Enforcement Worried

Both the FBI and the US Attorney General are concerned about iOS 8 and Android L encrypting a user's data. Because of this, both entities are worried about what it means for the future of law enforcement being able to help when it comes to solving crimes using a cellphone. iOS 8 now does not allow Apple itself or at its Genius bars at stores to bypass a passcode to access a user's data and Google announced that Android L will encrypt data by default. Users are happy for the newfound privacy but law enforcement officials are concerned about the extreme cases - kidnappings, sexual predators online and court orders (unless a warrant has been issued) would stop officials from being able to get into a phone and solve these cases. What do you think? Should there be some sort of law enforcement loophole in case of an extreme and dire situation for police to get into a user's phone?