“The FBI’s director said Friday the agency is collecting data to present next year in hopes of sparking a national conversation about law enforcement’s increasing inability to access encrypted electronic devices,” Paul Elias reports for The Associated Press. “Speaking Friday at the American Bar Association annual conference in San Francisco, James Comey said… encryption technology makes it impossible in a growing number of criminal cases to search electronic devices. But he said it’s up to U.S. citizens, rather than the FBI or government officials, to decide whether to modify the technology to help law enforcement access the devices.”
“Comey’s concern with encryption emerged earlier this year when the FBI engaged in a high-profile legal fight with Apple over accessing data from a locked iPhone used by one of the two shooters in the San Bernardino, California, terrorist attack,” Elias reports. 
“Comey said he hopes a calmer conversation about encryption and its effects on public safety can be started in 2017 after the presidential elections pitting Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton,” Elias reports. “Comey chided Clinton on July 5 for being ‘extremely careless’ in using private email servers for government communications while serving as secretary of state, but he recommended no criminal charges. On Friday, in response to a question about the decision, Comey said, ‘I don’t want to talk about the case itself anymore…'”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Comey, how many products do you think U.S. companies will sell abroad that come with keys for the FBI (that will be duplicated and spread everywhere within days, if it even takes that long), genius?
Encryption is either on or off. There is no such thing a a back door that’s only for the so-called “good guys.”
Too many people do not realize how lucky we are that Tim Cook is CEO of Apple Inc. No matter what else Cook does, as long as he holds his ground on this issue [strong encryption], he’s one of the greatest CEOs in history. We need and are lucky to have a man with a strong backbone to stand up to this constant pressure from misguided government spies who’re hell bent on running roughshod over the U.S. Constitution and U.S. citizens’ rights.
Furthermore, the friends and family members of all terrorism victims should be incensed that the U.S. federal government tried to abuse such tragic deaths in a despicable ploy to sway a confused portion of the public to support the trampling of their own rights (as the gov’t tried after San Bernadino).
Just because they’re “in the government” doesn’t make them smart. Oftentimes, the inverse is true. For example, the feds were all over the Orlando Islamic terrorist and they still fecklessly blew it.
The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would steal them away. — Ronald Reagan
Those who wrongheadedly agree with shortsighted and/or disingenuous government hacks need to realize that they are working to deliver exactly what the terrorists seek to achieve with their murderous rampages: Loss of freedom.
Don’t be blind. Don’t be stupid. Don’t be weak.
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! – Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. – Benjamin Franklin
Visit the Apple-backed reformgovernmentsurveillance.com today.
SEE ALSO:
Feckless FBI unable to unlock iPhone, even with a ‘fingerprint unlock warrant’ – May 12, 2016
FBI’s Comey says agency paid more than $1 million to access San Bernadino iPhone – April 21, 2016
Nothing significant found on San Bernardino’s terrorist’s iPhone – April 14, 2016
FBI director confirms hack only works on older iPhones that lack Apple’s Secure Enclave – April 7, 2016
Apple responds to FBI: ‘This case should have never been brought’ – March 29, 2016
Comey and Hillary are all about honesty and integrity. And Hillary in particular is very interested in the safety of this country.
What exactly have you been smoking today?
Comey is merely a dancing turd, the bowels are The Lynch Mob and Hillary Merkel starring in the Air Harbor Pay-Off.
Honesty. Honor. Integrity. Those are words that come to mind when I think of Hillary.
Hillary. The woman. The myth. The legend. What will she accomplish next?
I have heard she is going to direct the USDA to administer free vaccinations to all of her supporters’ unicorns.
Stronger Together.
…er, “Wronger Together.”
“Honesty. Honor. Integrity.” I sense a dose of heavy sarcasm.
When I think of Hildebeast (and I try not to. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard), I tend to think of: Fat, Ugly, and Criminal… 😂😂😂
lol, it just keeps getting better…Drudge shows Hillary’s Number One “Talifan” behind her at Florida rally…the muslim father of the Orlando monster.
Sorry the cat is out of the bag, encryption exists, even if companies did not install it in their products, there would be 3rd party way to do it in short order. Are they going to make it a criminal offense to have an encrypted HD?
Yes.
Encryption is a binary issue; on, or off; just as MDN stated. There are 10 kinds of people, those that understand binary, and those that don’t. 🖖😀⌚️
One of my favorite t-shirts!
I had to finally retire it a few years back.
He doesn’t want a national discussion, he wants inside our phones.
Doesn’t this guy already work for Hillary? They go way back, reportedly.
If she is elected, expect a “terrorist” event big enough to push frightened Americans into the FBI/NSA “solution.”
If Trump is elected, expect a “terrorist” event big enough to push frightened Americans into the FBI/NSA “solution.”
They won’t stop until they know what we know whenever they want.
No, Mr Comey does not work for Mrs Clinton.
No, Comey was just too afraid of the Clinton Body Count to do his job and recommend indictment.
Another example of one set of laws for the politically well-connected…
Crimes you & I would be sitting in jail cell if we conducted them
Apparently, Hildebeast was TOO STUPID to figure out how to get 2 emails on one device (which was her purported reason for the private unsecured server)! If that’s how well she understands technology, then she truly is an imbecile!
Who is governing the government? iHint: It sure as hell is not the millions (of illegal residents) who SUCK OFF all the hard working individuals who have Social Security Numbers in this country.
Total Skull Fck!
WOOPS iDeleted … umm…. iLost….. all My emails for my personal financial gain and to the demise of America. OH wait…. I am SO Sorry. OH WELL.
What difference does it make ANYWAY? GMAFB
Humble pie much Comey? Trying to be nice about it?…less confrontational?
So you lied in the court hearing, falsely accused Apple on multiple accounts and…using clumsy bullying tactics, managed not only to antagonize the one company who demonstrably do the most to protect their users privacy but pretty much all the major players whose businesses rely on the technology you want to weaken?
Nope, not going to work. The tech industry now knows they will be dealing with the devil you created.
well, it worked…Timmy just held a fundraiser for Hillary Merkel.
The problem is I think a fundamental misunderstanding of technology at a base level. Most people in their late 50’s + (read 59 and over) simply don’t understand how things work. Sure they can be briefed, and brought up to speed, but they weren’t raised with it and they didn’t start using high end technology until much later in life than my generation did for example.
So from a policy perspective finding the “middle way” makes sense, because that’s how they were raised and how they’ve always done things. However, on this issue there is no middle way to be had. As mdn says, encryption is a binary issue, it’s either on or off. Besides, if the nsa really wants to get into something, they can probably do it already. But the way it’s portrayed in the movies (especially the new Bourne film) is patently ridiculous, a lot of the things they did in the movie are either impossible, or so unlikely that they make no sense whatsoever.
We need strong encryption. Period full stop.
I understand perfectly well… and even if a “middle ground” were possible, I would still be absolutely opposed to the government’s intrusion in this.
Re: the new Bourne film… it’s called “dramatic license”. I think Hollywood people are the only ones who might have even less understanding of technology than government people. Proof: Avatar.
We already had the talk and the American people chose privacy. What Comey wants is a do-over.
Atonic or akinetic seizures are characterized by loss of body tone that can produce nodding of the head, weakness of the knees, or total collapse and falling. The patient usually remains conscious during the attack.
Audiogenic epilepsy (also: auditory epilepsy) is a reflex epilepsy brought on by sound.
Hillary has frequent coughing fits, a side effect of her anti-seizure medication.
Imagine if Trump had so much as a runny nose. CNN would impanel a group of medical experts to analyze his used tissues.
Yet when Hillary has a complete breakdown in public and suffers a seizure when talking to reporters, the press is mum.
Think what you will of Trump. This isn’t about Trump. This is about a media cover-up.
You deserve better media. You deserve journalists who tell both sides of the news and do not give a free pass to one candidate.
Today’s “Hillary Merkel Moment”
We deserve a better FBI Director too. One who is not a ball-less wonder & would have done his job referring Hildebeast to the Justice Dept for prosecution..
If it were you or I, we would’ve already been sitting in a jail cell.
Brought to you by: HRC bribes.
Paid for by: U.S. taxpayers and foreign lobbyist groups around the WORLD.
God Bless The Clinton Foundation! Bill & Hillary’s personal Slush Fund.
What a pathetic excuse for two individuals who are lower than the whale shite @ the bottom of the ocean.
That POS has some nerve claiming to be concerned about security after letting Hillary walk.
F’ that douche. All credibility was lost with Hildabeast exoneration.
Now that the apoplectic rage of San Bernardino has subsided not to mention the other terrorism attacks around the world; the FBI rears its ugly head once again.
Unfortunately, as Director Comey so eloquently stated the case of criminal misconduct against Hillary Clinton and her mishandling of email information; incredulously we all watched as her case was predetermined by director Comay to be unworthy of prosecution.
Never mind the facts and circumstances of the matter pointing overwhelmingly to a criminal offense having taken place. And never mind that unfortunately an Iranian nuclear scientist was just hung as a spy by the Iranian government. I’m sure the Iranian government finally determined through a connect the dots investigation of Hillary’s leaked emails that this scientist was possibly engaging in espionage for the United States. So now we have more government and bureaucratic incompetence leading to another bloodied fatal conclusion.
Frankly given the corrupt, criminal conduct, and blatant disregard for the code of criminal conduct I find the need for end to end encryption to secure communications to be a required item once again.
In summary, the FBI simply wants to get in via the back door to all your devices. This will not be allowed to stand and although some may try to mandate this type of technology the private sector and third-party software will make the mandate of fatally flawed electronic security moot.
What makes Director Comey disingenuous is his repeated trick of being emotional while chiding we simpering citizens for being emotional. He’s a self-deluding con man.
If Comey was not bought-off, The Hunchback of Venezuela would be the Democratic nominee today and Hillary Merkel would be in custody.
Comey claimed he could not find that Clinton had any intent for her negligence. Negligence never requires that the negligent person HAS an intent to be negligent. . . if that were so, every accidental pool drowning would require that the owner of the pool INTENDED the person who drowned do so to be held negligent for not doing everything in their power to avoid such an event, such as forgetting to lock the gate. “Oh, I intentionally left that gate unlocked so the neighbor’s three year old could walk in, fall in to my pool, and drown! That was my intentional negligent act!” Right. Sure.
However, Hillary Clinton DID take an intentional act to prevent the government from having access to GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, the emails produced by the work effort of herself and her staff, which by law were created on government time and were by law the property of the US Department of State. She had every intention of keep those data away from their rightful owner against the law which required her to keep said property on a government server and to release said data on demand. THAT IS INTENT TO BREAK THE LAW! Now add in the mis-location of classified and Top-Secret documents in a negligent manner in a knowingly negligent manner, also not her property. That does not require intent to be a crime.
*Danger* Deliberate shouting ahead:
THE NATIONAL TALK IS OVER MR. COMEY. STOP PRETENDING IT ISN’T. IT WAS OVER WHEN THE US CONSTITUTION WAS DRAFTED AND SIGNED:
The Fourth Amendment To The US Constitution
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
AND IT WAS STILL OVER WHEN THE FBI LOST TO APPLE THIS SPRING.
SO PLEASE MR. COMEY, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, SHUT UP AND DO YOUR JOB OF PROTECTING AND DEFENDING BOTH US CITIZENS AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES ALREADY!!!
What is it with this totalitarian lunatic?
Thank you Benjamin Franklin:
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
– Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759
I love how a common love of liberty and freedom can bring together people of vastly different, if not opposed, political opinions.
Kudos, Mr. Currie.
Derek da man:
I was going to write something off the top but I like your comments as you well know. I’m a big fan.
It’s been pointed out before that your amendment or laws allow searches and seizures when there is a warrant involved and I’ve pointed out at the time there was a basic principle that everything can be searched. That principle is eroding away with encrypted devices that can be searched. Now it’s not a problem for the creatures that are not citizens of your nation (I’d call them humans but that’s going a stretch considering how you treat them) cause you just have to whisk them away for a nice visit to that Guantanamo on the Bay resort you have, and they’ll gladly provide the PIN code, fingerprints, first born anything you want. Torture does have that affect.
Now for citizens of your country, the only ones worthy of being human in your government’s eyes it’s a bit trickier, hence they will need to evoke laws so that they can search something that is unsearchable.
Right now it’s ” the agency was unable to access 650 of 5,000 electronic devices investigators attempted to search over the last 10 months. ”
Soon the agency may find itself unable to access all 5,000 of the electronic devices. Sounds horrible until you realize that the other millions of devices allow law abiding citizens privacy. What a concept.
Government shaking in their boots…
more than usual.
Bring our more sabers to rattle.
Have a good one.
Torture:
1) Proven to evoke nonsense from victims in order for the suffering to stop, thus making torture ridiculous.
2) Against international law. So let’s have a REAL international law system with actual consequences. Hello China! Hello GW Bush League!
Conditional privacy: No such thing. If the locked safe can’t ever be opened by anyone under any circumstances, tough luck. There is no conditional privacy.
Of course, what we’re seeing is manipulation of people’s minds in BOTH the UK and the USA to give up their freedoms for the sake of:
1) Lazy, frustrated law enforcement that finds the law inconvenient for their jobs.
2) Efforts to shove totalitarianism down our throats through the classic use of FUD: FEAR, UNCERTAINTY and DOUBT. Listen for those three words in the propaganda we have shoved at us regarding a wide variety of subjects other people with to manipulate, from money games to national defense. We’re all pliable stupid sheeple ready for the slaughter by our own various ‘powers that be’ from dumbass, abusive corporations to dumbass, abusive governments.
It’s a very old story in new sheeple’s clothing.
Actually Derek there is a modern twist to it, which is why I’m so vocal about your country and not so vocal about others like China.
It’s not just the location (torture) it’s the movement. China and other countries have had it for a long time, it’s part of their culture, they haven’t evolved away from it yet. Your country on the other hand has moved away from such treatment (like slavery) and still purports to be supportive of the concepts of freedom and justice. I don’t think China does any chest thumping in that regards though I could be wrong.
Either way it’s horrible and to see how your country has dealt with it, well sorry to say, it’s indicative of the spineless bully. I wish it wasn’t so.
Fortunately there are people like you who realize that human rights are for all humans, not the select few of a particular country. That keeps my optimism high.
Enjoy.
Mr. Comey, with all due respect, you really need to stick to topics you understand and actually know something about. In the current context, you sound like an idiot and look to the public, like a lying jerk… My advice ?? FADE AWAY…
January 20, 2017, consider him “faded.”
Maybe the approach to this shouldn’t be to just close the door on the FBI, but to find a middle ground. What if instead of building in a back door, Apple gave the FBI a method to easily copy the contents of an iPhone. Then the FBI could make many copies of the data, and run a brute force decryption against the copies. Each copy would still have the 6/10 attempt limit so it’s not like it would be easy to break in.
Or am I completely off base here?