“Just because Apple and the FBI avoided an historic showdown in court this week over a previously issued court order for Apple to create a so-called ‘government OS’ that bypasses normal iPhone security measures, that doesn’t mean the whole thing was tidily wrapped up,” Andy Meek reports for BGR. “For one thing, no legislative precedent was set here.”
“That’s why we probably shouldn’t be surprised if Congress eventually wants to get involved, since legislative rule-making today could prevent this kind of thing from having to be worked out over a protracted court proceeding tomorrow,” Meek reports. “So far, though, the most knowledgeable members of Congress about this issue haven’t been heard from much. That’s because, as it turns out, there aren’t all that many of them.”
“Of the 535 members of Congress, BGR has only been able to identify four whose education background includes a computer science degre,” Meek reports. “Perhaps just as surprising: their responses when approached by BGR about the Apple-FBI battle were not particularly uniform and can be illustrated along a continuum that ranges from the specific to the non-existent. The lawmaker geeks include three Republicans and one Democrat. All four are members of the House of Representatives.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Also, note U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa, also a tech savvy representative.
SEE ALSO:
U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa at SXSW: ‘Hold your iPhone a little bit higher, so the FBI can hear us better’ – March 14, 2016
Obama pushes for iPhone back door; Congressman Issa blasts Obama’s ‘fundamental lack of understanding’ – March 12, 2016
U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa: The FBI should try to unlock shooter’s iPhone without Apple’s help – March 2, 2016
U.S. Representative Darrell Issa on Apple vs. FBI: Very scary when your government wants to know more about you – February 24, 2016
missing the point. this is not a computer science problem, it is a right to privacy problem.
It’s always the ignorant that enable FUD, fraud and abuse of power.
I would encourage everyone interested in this issue to read the entire article.
That’s a pretty good article, it’s not much of a surprise to see the center of the universe aspect from the people interviewed:
1. Bill Johnson: That Apple has a “responsibility” to protect its customers’ privacy and their data, for example, and that Apple feels that “we owe it to our country.”
Apple feels that they owe it to protect their customers’ privacy and their data and their customers are from the world then logic dictates that they feel that they owe it to the world but by thanks for showing us your over inflated super ego.
News, flash if the ““The number one job of the federal government is to protect the American people and defend the homeland.” it’s sure going about it the wrong way. Torture is not a good way to defend your homeland. Oh and just what is that homeland, that little fifth rate country of yours, or the planet?
2. Will Hurd: Haven’t heard from Hurd directly but the point he made on the TV show is spot on.
“he’s against government-mandated back doors into our devices and that the FBI appears to be over-reaching in the Apple and San Bernardino-related matter.”
It is a bit of a no brainer, thank you very much for stating the obvious. Nice that someone gets it.
3. Ted Lieu: I like his comments and the way he puts it into perspective with those lead on questions. I’ve got my answers to the questions he’s asked.
– Where does this kind of coercion stop?
– It doesn’t, ignore a white flag, use radioactive weapons of mass destruction on unarmed civilian populations, maintain an 80% war mongering status, slavery, torture, remove a democratically elected government. These folks stop at nothing given the chance.
– Can the government force Facebook to create software that provides analytic data on who is likely to be a criminal?
– Sure they can, all they have to do is pull out the enemy combatant stamp and make a whole chain of Guantanamo on the Bay resorts. Heck Hitler did something similar, why not that country it’s in their DNA (Destructive Nuclear Arsenal).
– Can the government force Google to provide the names of all people who searched for the term ISIL?
– Sure can but it’s much more fun when the NSA does it without anyone knowing. If it wasn’t for that Snowden guy….
– Can the government force Amazon to write software that identifies who might be suspicious based on the books they ordered?
– That would be pretty hard to force someone who would happily volunteer. After that court case that Apple lost, I think Amazon would be happy to return the favor.
4. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Oh this is hilarious, “All but one call to the press officer in his D.C. office came with the reply, “She’s just stepped out.””
She just stepped out, possibly because Stevette wants to buy a new dress or something.
Moral: Never bring folks from a xenophobic nation to a global discussion.
I’m surprised they found 4 Reps with computer science degrees.
Now, how many can they find that can quote the US Constitution, including all Amendments? That apparently is even more rare. (0_o)
That’s why we probably shouldn’t be surprised if Congress eventually wants to get involved
This ALREADY got the Congress involved. Go watch the House Judiciary Committee hearing with both Apple’s lawyer and FBI Director Comey. This would not have happened without Apple’s insistence. More is obviously to come.
Longest version: