Will Apple stick to business as usual later this month at its press event for the new iPhone SE, Apple Watch, and Mac updates? Or will it use the very public stage to also address the ongoing FBI/San Bernardino/encryption controversy?
When Apple sent out invites this morning for its rare and much anticipated mid-year iPhone event, some were quick to point out that it will take place the same week as Apple is set to attend a federal court hearing in the high-profile FBI/San Bernardino case. Apple originally planned to hold the event earlier, but it reportedly later decided to push it back to March 21, one day before a hearing in the FBI case scheduled for March 22 at Riverside, Calif. federal court.
Earlier this month Apple’s General Counsel Bruce Sewell appeared before the House Judiciary Committee at a hearing titled “The Encryption Tightrope: Balancing Americans’ Security and Privacy,” where the company was questioned on its decision to refuse a judge’s order to assist FBI in unlocking an iPhone related to a suspect in the San Bernardino shooter case. The company’s main argument is that assisting FBI in the case “would set a dangerous precedent” and that the broader issue of encryption is a “political and policy question” that should be decided by new law and Congress.
And the latest in the case comes today as the Department of Justice filed another response to Apple in the case saying that its request “invades no one’s privacy” and that “Apple’s response is corrosive.” Another response from Apple is expected by March 15, and then both sides will appear in federal court in California on March 22 one day after Apple’s event.
It will be the first big event Apple has had since the case went public in recent months, so it’s possible Tim Cook or other execs could take some time to address customers on, at the very least, the company’s stance on security and encryption, or perhaps the case directly. Of course, another outcome is that Apple’s product announcements at the event completely overshadow what comes of the hearing the next day and Apple uses that to its advantage.
Apple IS expected to spend some stage time on its new 4-inch iPhone SE, a 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and more, and the company will be live streaming the event as usual for iOS, Mac, AppleTV, and Windows users.
But do you think Apple and Tim Cook should address the FBI case at its event later this month?
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I don’t think its the right place for that. It’s a dull subject and they are trying to excite and sell product.
Doesn’t matter how dull you think it is, every product they are launching is garbage compared to the importance of this. One of the reasons their products are any good is due to the great security and privacy customers get from using them.
No its doesn’t matter how important you think it is…..see how crapping on someones opinion works…..
I don’t think Yes/No are quite the appropriate responses for this poll. But then again I’m not a pollster. Everyone at this event will certainly be aware of Apple’s position I don’t believe a discussion is necessary at the event. Not the correct venue.
Uhhh .. this is not a yes or no question.
Sorry, fixed.
I think a yes/no poll is the wrong type of poll here because you are asking an “or” question. But I do think that Apple should mention ways that it is improving encryption, but not necessarily talk about the FBI case.
I think alluding to encryption would be odd and potentially harmful (could be seen just as a shot at the government) without explaining why it’s important in context.
Nothing extensive, but it’s too big of an issue not to spend at least a minute on. Something along the lines of “Here at Apple we’re dedicated to making your privacy and safety a priority by keeping our operating systems secure. And maybe go on for 1 or 2 minutes more about how complying with the court ruling sets a dangerous precedent, that they are doing everything within the law to assist the government and will respect any new laws passed by Congress which represents the interests of Americans and has the input of Americans during the process–something the court order does not.
TC already did an interview with David Muir about this. No need to rehash — it’s not like there have been some significant developments.
It’s another opportunity for Apple to make their case and be in the news. Given the importance of the upcoming decision and having the sway of public opinion on your side, it must be addressed.
Incorrect. The public was in support of the FBI and now that has been coming closer to roughly 50/50. They absolutely need to give their message again, explaining it further, to a larger audience. If I am Tim Cook and company, I’m currently absolutely enraged at the misinformation being spread, and the manipulative and outright public lies from authoritative figures such as that incompetent NYPD official, and I’d absolutely use this keynote to discuss it.
This case is a trillion times more important than these products they are launching. And I’d say that too. I’d give the keynote like normal and the at the end Tim should turn very sober and serious and give at least 10 minutes to talk about this, and invite other executives on stage beside him to show that they all feel this is important.
Do people think it’s a coincidence they delayed the event a week so they will hold the event the day before the case hearing? Seriously?
Might as well talk about all the other legal battles Apple has going on too!
This is significantly different than a patent dispute… This comment proves it should be addressed because many people still don’t understand the issue and it’s importance for the future.
govNote. No thanks.
Wrong place and time.
When you have an issue and decision this important and the world’s attention focused on you, you don’t squander it by avoiding the issue. It is the most right place and time to address it. Not extensively but I would be very disappointed if Apple didn’t take a few minutes to update us on this very important issue.
I don’t want or expect them to dim to mood at all, as nothing big has happened anyways. At the MOST, I couldn’t imagine them saying anything beyond how they are working to encrypt iCloud and other services to the point where Apple themselves wouldn’t be able to hack the phone. But that’s for WWDC with iOS 10 and OS X 10.12
The poll question asked an either or question and presents a yes/no response.
No, they should ignore the FBI issue. No need for that
I don’t expect them to address anything directly, but I can see them saying something like how committed they are to protecting our privacy.
Encourage all companies to improve security. Please join me in signing the #FBIvsApple petition at http://1.usa.gov/1R9A4cM
They absolutely should, and will. The reason being is that it is profoundly more important than any product they are releasing, the entire year.
Can we have a poll id 9to%Mac should stop covering Apple/s fight with the government over encryption?
You can, y’know, choose to not read it?
More people watch the apple special events then they knew up with FBI matters. Of course this is the right time to.
One possibility is to not talk about the case. But at every opportunity play up how they secure the devices, operating systems, cloud services and why. Don’t address the FBI or the court, just make it clear what their security protects, and from whom, worldwide.
It has to and it will. Simple as that.
They might say something that nods at the case, but I don’t think it will be the subject of discussion.
they should stick to the products… this is a separate issue… if they talk about this, should they also talk about the EU issues and the e-book issue and the patent issues etc???
It’s not a separate issue. Security and privacy is the best product Apple sells. And while it is a free service technically, I prefer to call it a product because it is a pivotal part of the whole of the product you buy. It is a fundamental aspect of all of their products, and the most important aspect by far. Your point is poor because this is a product whereas those other issues you mention most certainly are not.
Every Apple customer cares about these, whether they know it or not. By that I mean, it’s taken for granted, or simply not even thought about, but that’s specifically the reason why it is so profoundly great. You don’t have to think about it or worry about it, it just works, and it’s simple.
I don’t think they have a choice. It’s too big an issue not to mention. To not do so would be weird.
The result of this has a more profound effect on every user of digital devices (not just apple devices).
BUT this isn’t their focus of the event, and it should be in at the start with the old “state of the business” slides. (if they have time for them!)
While I think Apple should not specifically mention the case, they should mention something about encryption. Giving their opinion to the public at their press event will get them recognized for their encryption efforts and raise public awareness for their side of the case outside of the tech community.
Would be insane for them to delve into it, national polls say just over half the US now thinks apple is right, so better to leave the problem to resolve itself elsewhere otherwise half their potential audience will turn against them, or potentially so. They may comment when resolved, but there is so much that can happen and having filings in a court it may even be held against them.
I will bet anyone a dollar they stick to business, if they dont they jeapordize the brand and it is worth too much.
Yes they may have their free speech held against them.
I think they should just stick to products but knowing Apple, they probably will address the case
It really makes no sense to talk about something that has not seen closure. Once the case is closed then it’s worth hearing what Apple has to say about it.
In the meantime, Apple should only focus on it’s Product Announcements and Roadmap and on delivering quality hardware AND software.
Stay focused Tim
Apple has always been out to educate customers, and this is an opportunity to do so. I expect to hear about it.
They should address it, not discuss it. Just a sort of “Status Update” going forward. To show that they’re being open and honest.
This is a press event, not a developer’s conference or a mere product release. What better place to speak directly to the issue? This is a war and the press is the front line.
In the spirit of the joke attributed to Churchill, or whatever – , old rich man says to young woman will you have sex with me for $10m, she says yes. Old rich man says, will you have sex with me for 50c, she says no, – what sort of woman do you take me for? old rich man says, I think we have established that with your first answer, now we are just negotiating the price.
If a nuclear weapon was to go off that would kill 10m, and hacking a phone could 100% save it going off (in the manner of Jack Bauer’s24), I guess 99.99% of people would agree to that. Whereas 0.01% of people would agree in order to get information on somebody’s personal habits – somewhere in between the two there is a point where there is sufficient public interest.
Or is it the case that even for the 10m deaths, most feel there would be no case to do this?
That is the straw man argument they’ve been using for decades. The fact is, that sort of a black and white live or die situation does not happen. We’re not talking about a 24 or Scorpion style scenario where this bit of information or that clue will by itself stop armageddon. In the real world, cases are solved and plots are stopped by information from many sources, many leads, many clues, none of which is The Key. Whenever police and or political types use this kind of an argument I reject it utterly. It’s just scare tactics.
I think so…it’s a core aspect of the OS anyway so it’s not like it’s unrelated to the products. It’s a good opportunity for press and to control the message in their own stage, and chances are what will be said will be reported the world over alongside the product announcements.
Apple should announce that they are going to give the government exactly what they want: Their own version of iOS specifically able to be cracked by any LEO, at any time.
“Effective immediately, Apple will begin distributing copies of govtOS 10.0 beta 1 to developers. This version of the OS is specifically designed for the US market and I will allow LEOs from any agency to access and unlock your phone at any time. We feel that this is the best course of action to take. After all, isn’t the safety and security of our country worth more than your privacy and individual rights. Think of the children!”
I say stick to the products.
I love Apple products and services. I think it’s a shame that they have taken the route they did on obstructing law enforcement and they risk having their brand associated first and foremost with being the ‘terrorists friends.’
Get back to having the Apple brand associated with great phones/tablets/laptops etc
Product announcements, business as usual. A quick comment about Apple continuing to put our privacy and security first is all that’s required. We all understand the bigger picture here.
I think it wouldn’t be a stretch for them to make a veiled reference to it in reminding attendees that iOS 9.3 also includes state of the art security… commitment to privacy… so on and so forth … you are in full control of your content… so much of your life is on your iPhone… we will do everything to maintain that trust
They scheduled the event the day before the testimony. They’re definitely going to use it at least partially to make their case publicly.
I think that while, no, they shouldn’t talk about this, I do believe that they’ll talk about how important they believe security is to them. And I would probably be fine with that.