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Why Are Apple's Competitors Staying Silent On the iPhone Unlocking Fight?

Posted by timothy on from the second-mover-disadvantage dept.

erier2003 writes: A court order forcing Apple to help the FBI access a terrorism suspect's iPhone has drawn responses from leading tech companies, newspaper editorial boards, and security experts. But one major faction is staying largely silent: the computer and smartphone manufacturers who compete with Apple for business and could be subject to similar orders in the future if the company loses its high-profile case. Silicon Valley software firms have universally backed Apple in its fight against the Justice Department, which won a ruling Tuesday from a California magistrate judge compelling Apple to design custom software to bypass security features on an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. But Apple's hardware competitors are staying on the sidelines.

1 of 301 comments (clear)

  1. Because they don't store user data in China? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Apple has no problems caving to the CHINESE government:

    Citing reports by Chinese daily Beijing News and the state-run People's Daily, the article claimed that Cook agreed in January 2015 to allow authorities in China to carry out “security checks” on all iPhones sold in the country to make sure the US had not installed any spyware. But, Apple has never confirmed or responded to the allegations.

    The article reported that analysts believe Apple likely handed over its operating system source code as part of the agreement. If true, this would mean that the Chinese government knows how Apple’s software works, including its security system.

    User data stored in China

    Apple also decided in February 2015 to store local users’ personal data in China. The move was a gesture of good will towards Beijing that other companies like Google, for example, have always rejected for “security reasons”. This is because it is easier for China to request access to personal information that is under its jurisdiction.

    Ohhh, Apple is standing up for your rights!!!

    BULLSHIT

    Apple is doing what it thinks will give it the most money:

    1. Putting on a marketing show in the US to FOOL people
    2. Caving to the Chinese in order to maintain access to the Chinese market.