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Mark Zuckerberg sides w/ Apple in encryption battle as poll suggests public supports FBI

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 4.27.56 PM

Following Tim Cook sending a letter to all Apple employees earlier today regarding the issue, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has today expressed his support for Apple in its ongoing battle with the FBI. Speaking at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Facebook CEO stated that he doesn’t believe that building back doors is the way to handle situations like the one being debated (via NY Times).

“I don’t think building back doors is the way to go, so we’re pretty sympathetic to Tim and Apple,” Zuckerberg said.

This comment is more direct than Facebook’s initial response to the issue, saying in a statement that it would “fight aggressively against requirements for companies to weaken the security of their systems,” without specifically mentioning Apple or Cook by name.

Also regarding Apple’s battle with the FBI, a new poll from the Pew Research Center suggests that the majority of the general public actually sides with the FBI. In a note published today, the research company shared data showing that 51 percent of U.S. citizens believe that Apple should comply with court requests and unlock the iPhone 5c used by one of the San Bernardino gunmen. Just 38 percent of the people surveyed, however, believe that Apple should stand firm and not unlock the iPhone in question, while 11 percent said they “didn’t know.” The data for this survey was collected “nationally” between February 18th and February 21st.

Following the court order last week and Cook’s subsequent open-letter slamming the request, a handful of tech companies have come out in supported Apple. The EFF, ACLU, and WhatsApp all voiced their unequivocal support for Apple. Google, on the other hand, remained vague in its support, with CEO Sundar Pichai and Android head Hiroshi Lockheimer making only vague statements regarding the topic.

Apple’s battle with the FBI over national security versus user privacy began last week and has since become one of the biggest and most complex stories in tech and politics. You can view all of our extensive coverage at the links below:

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Comments

  1. PMZanetti - 8 years ago

    This just in: Of those 51%, precisely zero understand the implications of it. But that is nothing new. They will just change the channel as they always do.

    • darevsek - 8 years ago

      Yep, they hear Muslim/terrorist and all panic and just say Yes, to anything asked when those words are used. Regardless of what it is and how it impacts their own privacy/security. One day they will pop their heads out of the sand and ask “what happened?”…

  2. TechSHIZZLE.com - 8 years ago

    Hey-when did Zuck start caring about privacy?!

    • Doug Aalseth - 8 years ago

      I did find that more than a little ironic.

      • transamken - 8 years ago

        You got me, he started firing employees who wrote the hash tag #alllivesmatter by calling them disgusting racist… The irony.

    • rnc - 8 years ago

      Zuck will start caring about privacy when his users start to care about privacy.

      Zuck doesn’t want more than what you are willing to share, if you want to share all you got online, it’s your choice.

      • TechSHIZZLE.com - 8 years ago

        Exactly. That’s the exact reason I stay off “the Facebook”. Unfortunately, there are plenty of soccer moms who either don’t know or don’t care what they’re giving away.

  3. Atlas (@Metascover) - 8 years ago

    Most people are uninformed or plain idiots.
    SHOCKER.

  4. iSRS - 8 years ago

    To be fair, that 51% don’t likely know what is involved. They likely think Apple isn’t doing anything to help. Because the mainstream media is not reporting that they are, nor are they reporting the whole story.

    Sadly news these days is all you can get – IF it fits in 140 characters

  5. Kevin McManamon - 8 years ago

    This poll frightens me. The people are idiots (see Trump) and should not be entrusted to make these types of decisions (or allow congress at large to vote). Between media and the government screaming “national security” at every corner, hardly anyone’s opinion is informed. This discussion and resolution really needs to be among a group of technologists and the supreme court. I’d also like several civil rights lawyers in the room as well.

  6. C4Rlo (@C4Rlo) - 8 years ago

    I have to wonder what percentage of that 51% thinks Apple has access to the password? If the question was “Should Apple create new software that gives the FBI the ability to break the security of iOS and trust the FBI will only use it for just this one phone” I think that poll would have slightly different results :)

  7. PhilBoogie - 8 years ago

    Mark Zuckerberg? The guy who broke into the server of the university he was attending.

    ‘kay

    • 3rdngoal - 8 years ago

      Yeah, he’s all for the protection of privacy unless of course they want the cell phone numbers of all your Facebook friends, then it’s no big deal.

  8. boccabella - 8 years ago

    The fact that only 51% are siding with law enforcement on a terrorism-related issue is significant and a good sign going forward.

    • iSRS - 8 years ago

      True. Only 51% on a likely biased question of ill informed people. Good point

  9. 3rdngoal - 8 years ago

    I see everyone mocking the 51%. I want to point out that some (maybe not all) news reposts have reported this as two issues. One, the back door software and two, breaking into the terrorists phone. The second has been described in many circles as Apple having to break into the phone themselves to get the data. That was my understanding up until a couple days ago. Now that I understand the FBI is asking for software that will allow them to defeat the encryption, I am against that.

    It’s pretty clear at this point that the FBI is trying to use this a s a political platform so they can set a precedence for other cases in the future. Surely the evidence on the San Bernardino terrorists cells are cold by now.

  10. mpias3785 - 8 years ago

    Take this test: http://www.relativelyinteresting.com/do-you-know-more-about-science-than-the-average-american/ The average American score was 5.8. We’re raising a population of idiots.

    • jorn - 8 years ago

      Wow. I thought that was going to be a *test.* People get that stuff wrong? I mean… ANY of it? O.O

      • mpias3785 - 8 years ago

        See the kind of idiots we have teaching our children these days? 11 simple questions and the US average is 5.8?! I’d like to see the average score of our politicians and fire anyone who gets less than 9 right, and send the ones who didn’t get a perfect score back to high school for a week.

        We really ARE raising a population of idiots and then we vote them into office! Idiocracy here we come!

  11. rnc - 8 years ago

    The pool is not even accurate, it’s not about Apple unlocking or not the phone or not, because they will unlock it if they can. It’s Apple making a version of iOS with a backdoor in it.

    • Rob H - 8 years ago

      Yup. The poll was poorly worded and biased. No mention of Apple needing to alter its product or write special software.

      This was the question:

      As you may know, the FBI has said that accessing the iPhone is an important part of their ongoing investigation into the San Bernardino attacks while Apple has said that unlocking the iPhone could compromise the security of other users’ information. Do you think Apple

      Should unlock the iPhone (51)
      Should NOT unlock the iPhone (38)
      Don’t know/Refused (11)

  12. pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

    I honestly find it very funny that Mark Zuckerberg is backing Apple with this privacy issue — Facebook does not take privacy seriously… it allows ‘personalised’ ads that keep track of your data and which sites you go to, it gives you very little control over your actual privacy, it is somewhat easy to hack a facebook account, you can get a lot of info from facebook, when linking with a game they share your details — technically it should just be permission for you to post via a gaming app…they shouldnt need your name, age, etc.

    As for the voting — i would say the vast majority is in favour of Apple allowing the FBI access — 51% compared to 38% is a huge difference…

    But it was only like the Afghanistan war – the UK people voted – 51% said not to join americans in the war… but the government found away to still go to war :-(

    In the fight against privacy – I partially stand with Apple… but i strongly believe you give up all rights to privacy when you commit a crime – especially in this case – i think it is wrong that Apple is aiding criminals…

    • nonyabiness - 8 years ago

      “In the fight against privacy – I partially stand with Apple… but i strongly believe you give up all rights to privacy when you commit a crime – especially in this case – i think it is wrong that Apple is aiding criminals…”

      I think you’re a little confused. What’s actually happening, is citizens are being forced to give up their right for privacy because someone else committed a crime. I think it’s disheartening that you don’t see it as such.

    • TechSHIZZLE.com - 8 years ago

      The problem is that they did not commit a crime until they are adjudicated guilty of a crime. Until then, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

      So being accused of a crime is enough to terminate your right to privacy?

      In this case, the perpetrators are dead, and dead people have no right to privacy, but that’s not Apple’s argument. Apple is saying it cannot be compelled to do the FBI’s forensic work under the law the FBI is siting, and that IF it were compelled to do so, it would have to create a new, weaker, operating system to allow the FBI to attempt to unlock the iPhone by electronic brute force. Apple says that if it did that, then this OS could be installed on any iPhone (and would eventually be installed on ALL iPhones), which gives hackers a vector to compromise every iPhone in existence.

      Apple says it is not willing to compromise the security of every iOS device be creating a tool that weakens security.

      Long story short-Apple is not aiding criminals.

      • pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

        i understand what you are saying… granted – you are innocent until proven guilty…but when there is strong evidence and we just need that last push, then yeah.

        you dont have to use a phone, you dont have to use a PC, you dont have to electronic items — if you do, then you should be aware you give up a piece of your privacy…

        IF these devices were 100% secure and made sure 100% that they could not be used for criminal intent – then ok… the FBI are abusing their rights etc…

        BUT if a relative of mine was shot, murdered, kidnapped, raped – or whatever – and all that was standing in the way of getting the ba$t@rd was unlocking a phone, then i would hope that everyone is doing all they could to help.

        Long story short — Apple IS aiding criminals — they are making their devices ideal for criminals because of no back door and currently impossible for even the FBI to access…they are also refusing to help the FBI crack this case — yes they have help so far, but they are not willing to go the whole way and catch the bad guy…

        plus — you should have nothing to worry about if you dont do anything illegal… i would not be bothered if the FBI looked at my phone and laptop — yes i would be concern if the average person did…

        Anyone concerned so much about privacy should not be connected to the grid… they should not use any devices or access the web.
        The fact a lot of people are flocking to the web to express their concern about privacy and how important it is to keep it really speaks volumes…lol

      • TechSHIZZLE.com - 8 years ago

        So, you’re innocent until proven guilty, unless you really look guilty, then we’ll just presume your guilt and take away your civil rights? Wow. I don’t remember that from law school.

        Then we have no reasonable expectation of privacy if we use a phone, a PC, or other electronic items?

        And if the standard is that if something could be used for criminal intent then there is no expectation of privacy? What can’t be used for criminal intent? I can’t think of anything that can’t be used for criminal intent, so there is no such thing as privacy anywhere, ever.

        As to the “I have nothing to hide” nonsense: Wired: “If the federal government had access to every email you’ve ever written and every phone call you’ve ever made, it’s almost certain that they could find something you’ve done which violates a provision in the 27,000 pages of federal statues or 10,000 administrative regulations. You probably do have something to hide, you just don’t know it yet.”

  13. celitan - 8 years ago

    Good for asking ‘mercians for that – there are more iPhone users outside the USA – the survey only looks at americans – so it is not helpful for a global company.
    That said, turn the question around: How many Americans would like that countries like China, Iran, Russia can read their personal data and the pictures of their families and children.
    Its encrypt all the way or not at all.
    If you want to share your private life – go with Mr. Gates – he will gladly deliver your data to everyone thats asking.
    Or go with google so they can take your data to build nice profiles to figure out what type of advertising to blast you with.

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Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

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