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Judge Favors Apple In iPhone Unlocking Case In New York (google.com)

The Washington Post reports that Apple has prevailed for the moment in its fight with the FBI over the agency's demand that Apple help them break the security of an iPhone — but not in the California case about the phone belonging to San Bernadino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook -- that more famous case, as we mentioned the other day, is of course not the only case with a phone the FBI would like to peek into. New York federal judge James Orenstein scoffs in his 50-page decision at government arguments that Apple should be compelled to produce a software solution that would give them full access to content of the phone belonging to a drug dealer's phone. [Orenstein] found that the All Writs Act does not apply in instances where Congress had the opportunity but failed to create an authority for the government to get the type of help it was seeking, such as having firms ensure they have a way to obtain data from encrypted phones.

He also found that ordering Apple to help the government by extracting data from the iPhone- which belonged to a drug dealer --would place an unreasonable burden on the company....

He also expressed concern about conferring too much authority in the government. "Nothing in the government's arguments suggests any principled limit on how far a court may go in requiring a person or company to violate the most deeply-rooted values to provide assistance to the government the court deems necessary," he said.
Whether the same logic will prevail in California is yet unclear; the New York decision is not binding on any other court.

114 comments

  1. Not much reaction yet from the Wall St. casinos... by jeffb+(2.718) · · Score: 2

    Doesn't look like Apple's making any big after-hours moves in the wake of the announcement.

  2. Apple has more $ than the FBI by turkeydance · · Score: 3, Insightful

    and 43 other countries.

    1. Re:Apple has more $ than the FBI by dissy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      So?

      No one said it was a burden Apple couldn't afford financially. They said it was an undue burden.
      There's no shame in having to look the words up.

    2. Re:Apple has more $ than the FBI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well what other type of burden would a multi billion dollar company have if not monetary? Burden of unwanted publicity?

    3. Re:Apple has more $ than the FBI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Undue burden has nothing to do with affordability.

    4. Re:Apple has more $ than the FBI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You misinterpreted the point. Generally, in court the party with the most money wins. This case is another datapoint to support that hypothesis.

    5. Re:Apple has more $ than the FBI by JeffOwl · · Score: 1

      So it means they have better lawyers?

  3. And I scoff at his opinion. by BrendaEM · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Everyone who stands to gain power will surly opt for totalitarian control.

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/c/BrendaEM
    1. Re:And I scoff at his opinion. by Darinbob · · Score: 5, Funny

      You may be right. And stop calling me Surly.

    2. Re:And I scoff at his opinion. by FatdogHaiku · · Score: 4, Funny

      You may be right. And stop calling me Surly.

      Yes, that was over the top. While not obviously surly, you do seem a bit demanding...
      Surely you agree...
      I know Shirley does...

      --
      You have the right to remain sentient. If you give up the right to remain sentient, you will be elected to public office
    3. Re: And I scoff at his opinion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They'll grab power, but they don't have to smile while doing it.

    4. Re:And I scoff at his opinion. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Surly tried that when she became Empress of the Malazan , it didn't work out so well for her either.

  4. Darn that President of yours plays a long game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    he had a supreme judge bumped off just so he could ensure the majority vote on this issue.

  5. EDNY by Etherwalk · · Score: 5, Informative

    To be clear, this was a decision from a Federal Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of NY. (E.g. Long Island and Staten Island). It is not binding on any other court, but it is a Federal Court Decision, which gives it more weight than most equivalent state court decisions, and it is from a fairly well-respected District. (For example, they are responsible for some of the classic electronic discovery cases). They are not the Southern District of New York, which is the rock star of District Courts--but it has enough persuasive weight that most other courts will take it at least a little seriously. They just aren't required to follow it.

    1. Re:EDNY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      From what I can see, this Brooklyn decision was argued by both Apple and the relevant Law enforcement.
      This has allowed the judge to hear both sides and probably make a more considered judgement.

      The San Bernardino case was ex-parte, so Apple was never able to make any submission before the order was made.

      If nothing else, it proves that ex-parte orders of this magnitude should not be permitted.

    2. Re:EDNY by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For fuck sake stop using the term rockstar like the asshat human-waste-resources in most companies. I do not mean the hard working under-appreciated janitorial staff.

  6. This is what I've been saying since day one... by KGIII · · Score: 5, Informative

    Feel free to scroll through my post history. Under what authority does the judge issue these orders? Nobody has been able to cite where this authority is coming from. Lots of people have told me that I'm wrong, in lots of ways. Nobody has actually answered the damned question or shown where the authority comes from. The judge doesn't have this kind of power.

    An example, albeit not a good one, is that even though there's litter on the ground, a judge can't just order a random person to pick it up. There's nobody even charged in this case. There has been no indictment, no arraignment, nothing... There's nobody charged AND if there were, I'm still not sure that the judge has authority to issue this order.

    People are still running around calling it a warrant. It's not a warrant. It was never a warrant.

    --
    "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    1. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Earthquake+Retrofit · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Back when dinosaurs roamed the internet, there was a guy here with some authority who could make sense of things like this named New York Country Lawyer.

      --
      Fifty years of Yippie! 1968-2018
    2. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

      There isn't a set of rules that say where judges authority starts and ends. There is precedent that can guide their decisions, but if a judge makes an order it stands unless another judge says so. Life isn't black and white.

    3. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Darinbob · · Score: 1, Informative

      You mean the authority to make decisions, or the authority to grant warrants, or what?

      Basically it boils down to two parties unable to reach an agreement, so they consult a third party to make the decision and resolve the dispute. That's a court. Just because one of those two parties happens to be the US executive branch should not make a difference. In this particular case, the government wants a very special type of search warrant, and the courts most certainly have the power to tell the executive branch "no".

      The constitution requires that warrants for searching require probable cause. The ability to decide what is or is not probable cause was established by precedent as the right of the courts. And the right of the courts to have judicial review over congress and the executive was decided in Marbury vs Madison, 1803. Later in 1961 the 4th amendment was held to also apply to the individual states. So yes, the courts have the authority to grant or reject warrants, and the DOJ does not have the ability to unilaterally enact warrants.

    4. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by BitterOak · · Score: 3, Informative

      Under what authority does the judge issue these orders?

      Under the All Writs Act. I'm not saying it necessarily applies in this case, but it is the authority judges cite. (At least the judge in California did. In NY, the Justice Department asked the judge to use it.)

      --
      If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
    5. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by KGIII · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The authority to issue this order (a writ) in this particular case. This is not a warrant. You need to understand that if you want to have this conversation.

      Compound that with there *is* no party being charged (at this time). This is *not* a warrant and there's nobody who has been charged or indicted or arraigned or anything. That last part can be easily changed but, for now, there's nobody charged - they can charge one or both of the dead people posthumously.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    6. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Oh, I understand that. What I don't get is how does it apply in this case? Right now, nobody has been charged. There are lots of other problems but the first and most pressing is, to me, where does this authority come from in *this* case? Who has been indicted? Who has been formally charged. Until someone has been charged then the judge doesn't have the authority to demand all writs (all papers) associated in a wide-sweeping matter of discovery. At least not historically - I looked and was unable to find any precedent for this. I'm no expert so I might have missed something but, frankly, the very first thing to look at is process and this is not following the procedures.

      Nobody has been charged. There's nobody for the judge to judge. Thus, they have no authority. That's why I used the horrible analogy of the judge ordering a random person to pick up litter.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    7. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Darinbob · · Score: 1

      A warrant by the way is a writ. Not all writs are warrants though. No one needs to be charged to have a warrant either. The difference in this case is somewhat slight, but I'll admit to getting off track based on not understanding what question you were really asking, or whether it was just rhetoric.

      What gives the judge the authority to give "these orders". What does "these orders" refer to that's obscure enough that it's not already answered? If you're asking about the writ for Apple to unlock the iPhone via the New York case in question then that's the All Writs Act and was granted by Congress, but that's a well known answer. So I assumed you were asking a more general question about court powers.

    8. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by AchilleTalon · · Score: 1

      Well, given the iPhone 5c in question is property of the San Bernardino County, I don't really think both cases are similar in any way. There is no need to charge anyone, the iPhone is government property, there shouldn't be any personal and/or private data on it. It ends up with the government asking Apple to unlock a government property.

      --
      Achille Talon
      Hop!
    9. Re: This is what I've been saying since day one... by mrchaotica · · Score: 2

      I miss that guy. Groklaw, too.

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    10. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by NicBenjamin · · Score: 1

      The vast majority of warrants are actually issued prior to charges being sent down, because charges are what you do after you've got your investigative ducks in a row, not when you're in the middle of looking for evidence. Writs follow the same pattern. This one could actually be part of an investigation where charges have been filed, because their the shooter's neighbor has been charged with supporting terrorism.

      But even without that looking into potential contacts of a guy who murdered a dozen-odd people in case he's got a bigger cell or something is a perfectly legitimate use of FBI resources, and since he's dead his Fourth Amendment rights are gone. The owner of the phone retains a privacy interest, but that owner is the County, which wants the phone cracked.

      The All Writs Act is quite broad, and says the Courts have the authority to issue any order you can imagine that is "necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law." So the Court has the authority to use the All Writs Act to aid the investigation, and get info off the phone. There really isn't any way for Apple to dispute that bit.

      What they're disputing the hell out of is whether this specific order is "agreeable to the principles of the law."

    11. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by jader3rd · · Score: 1

      a judge can't just order a random person to pick it up.

      But a judge can approve a request from a member of the Executive Branch if it's publicly documented and is part of an investigation. It takes multiple parties, that's the checks and balances.

    12. Re: This is what I've been saying since day one... by MachineShedFred · · Score: 1

      Law enforcement gets court orders for investigatory probes all the time: subpoenas for records, court orders for telephonic surveillance, etc. Those aren't warrants either, and nobody has been indicted, charged, or much else for those. This is how the system works - law enforcement proves to a judge that standard methods of surveillance and information gathering don't work (exhaustion) and that judge then allows law enforcement to commence with further investigatory means that require a legal order.

      --
      Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
    13. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, given the iPhone 5c in question is property of the San Bernardino County...

      Criminal evidence is not government property. The owners of the iPhone are the next of kin in accordance with inheritance law.

    14. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by bitingduck · · Score: 5, Informative

      The judge actually lays it out pretty well in the order.

      DOJ went to the court to have them issue a writ to order Apple to break into the phone around when the guy in NY was charged. They did this because they thought it had evidence that would be useful in getting a conviction. The guy later plead guilty, which you might think would render the writ moot, but DOJ wanted to continue investigating to see if there was data on the phone to implicate collaborators of the guy who plead guilty. The courts normally defer to the discretion of the investigators and say "yes, while it looks moot, I understand you want to do a thorough investigation and see if there's evidence of criminal behavior of other people, so I'll go ahead and approve this writ". So far so good. Judge Orenstein even explains it more or less that way.

      Until Apple say's "hey, this is putting a burden on us, and we're not a party to any of it, and we're not in the software breaking business. We don't even have tools to break our own after OS7, and while we've previously cooperated a few dozen times on earlier OS versions, this is getting to be both a lot of work and y'all are starting to ask us to make things from scratch that we think are dangerous to make even once. We think you're pushing this AWA thing too far, and here's why." (and they submit their briefs)

      The judge reads it all, has hearings, etc and then says "Yes, Apple, you're correct, the AWA doesn't give me the authority to order you to do what DOJ asks, and all these other laws and precedents back them up, too. Have a nice day. DOJ, you guys are way overreaching, and your attempts to bypass the legislative process are transparent. You lose this way, and that way, and this other way, too. None of your arguments claiming I have that authority are any good. Go away. kthxbye."

      And then the DOJ has the option to appeal to the circuit court, but they'll probably wait to see what they get in California. If they lose about the same way in both places, they might back off. If they get conflicting orders, they'll probably appeal the one they don't like and try to get an appellate court to agree with them, but Apple will be doing the same thing with the order that *they* don't like. If two circuits then come up with different resolutions to the interpretation of the AWA (or other law in the case) then the supreme court will probably take it when it gets appealed to there.

    15. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Well, given the iPhone 5c in question is property of the San Bernardino County...

      Criminal evidence is not government property. The owners of the iPhone are the next of kin in accordance with inheritance law.

      It was the shooters work provided phone, not his personal property. He worked for San Bernardino County.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    16. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 2

      Well, given the iPhone 5c in question is property of the San Bernardino County, I don't really think both cases are similar in any way. There is no need to charge anyone, the iPhone is government property, there shouldn't be any personal and/or private data on it. It ends up with the government asking Apple to unlock a government property.

      Why should a company be forced to get information off a phone in a very complicated way when the owners together with the FBI by malice or incompetence voided the option to restore it easily? Even more to the point: why should any government entity be allowed to operate phones without mobile device management software on it, that would allow them to access any of their phones no matter what passcode their employee has set?

      Especially when almost everybody with experience believes there's not a thing of interest on the phone? Not the least because it wasn't his nor his wife's private phone which they destroyed, but a government owned phone which he likely suspected to not be "safe".

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    17. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      The All Writs Act is quite broad, and says the Courts have the authority to issue any order you can imagine that is "necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law." So the Court has the authority to use the All Writs Act to aid the investigation, and get info off the phone. There really isn't any way for Apple to dispute that bit.

      Yes there is - because the AWA specifically is not applicable when there is legislation regarding the issue at hand. In this case it's the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    18. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by NicBenjamin · · Score: 1

      The All Writs Act is quite broad, and says the Courts have the authority to issue any order you can imagine that is "necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law." So the Court has the authority to use the All Writs Act to aid the investigation, and get info off the phone. There really isn't any way for Apple to dispute that bit.

      Yes there is - because the AWA specifically is not applicable when there is legislation regarding the issue at hand. In this case it's the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

      Technically, that's not disputing whether the Courts have the authority to use the All Writs Act to at this point in the investigation of this particular crime (which is what KGIII is wondering about), it's a dispute over whether the All Writs Act gives the Courts the authority to issue this particular Writ. And they'd be disputing on the basis that it is "not agreeable to the principles of law" because they'd be alleging the law says some other act regulates getting data off cell phones.

    19. Re: This is what I've been saying since day one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, this was not a gift of the state, to an person, but a tool for use by state representatives. A tool. Such as in the snowplow is not the drivers own vehicle, but a tool for the use of the driver of the state.

    20. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by KGIII · · Score: 1

      I must not be articulating this clearly...

      > DOJ went to the court to have them issue a writ

      Stop. Right there.

      I know that. Under what authority does the judge issue this order? Namely, procedural-wise. Who has been charged? A writ is, if I understand correctly, basically a fancy name for motion for discovery which means that someone must have been charged at the point of issue.

      Once we get past that, we can debate the merits. We can then argue that it is overreach. We can then argue that it is an undue burden. But, more important (to me - and seemingly to this judge, if I'm understanding) is where hell do they get off thinking that they have this authority?

      I see a bunch of other replies. I'll read 'em all when I get a minute but I'm not sure that I've time (or inclination) to answer them all as they all seem to miss the question. I know I have one from Ray, I've not gotten there yet. He's pretty smart, he might know. I could well be missing something obvious but I really am not seeing where this authority comes from. Judges have lots of authority but only once they are in the loop. At this point, there's no case in front of the judge beyond the scope of warrants and this is clearly not a warrant.

      Is that more clear? :/ Sorry - I'm not the most articulate.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    21. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by valdezjuan · · Score: 1

      While I am still reading, it would seem to be the 'All Writs Act', at least in the governments interpretation, gives them the authority. Also, the case is United States v. Jun Feng, No. 14-CR-387 and it explicitly states a an "Apple iPhone 5s" was seized while executing a search warrant of Jun's residence. I am still googling for the warrant issued under that particular case.

      Granted, IAMNAL so perhaps I am getting mired down in all the jargon. Jargon examples:

      "Third, orders issued under the All Writs Act must be “necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions.” 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a) (emphasis added)."

      "No statute addresses data extraction from a passcode-locked cell phone. The Supreme Court also has made clear that “[t]he All Writs Act is a residual source of authority to issue writs that are not otherwise covered by statute,” such that courts may not rely on the All Writs Act “[w]here a statute specifically addresses the particular issue at hand.” Pennsylvania Bureau of Correction v. United States Marshals Serv., 474 U.S.34, 43 (1985). In this case, no statute addresses the procedures for requiring Apple to extract data from a passcode-locked iPhone, so Pennsylvania Bureau of Correction provides no basis for denying the government’s application for an All Writs Act order in this case."

      "Thus, CALEA concerns a separate subject entirely and does not limit this Court’s authority under the All Writs Act to require Apple to assist the government
      in executing a search warrant."

      "Because courts do not lose an authority to issue orders under the All Writs Act merely because Congress does not subsequently enact legislation endorsing or expanding that authority, this Court retains authority to issue an All Writs Act order consistent with New York Telephone Co."

      "Court authority to issue All Writs Act orders in support of warrants has been clearly established since the Supreme Court decided New York Telephone Co. in 1977"

      https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Apple-All-Writs-Government-Reply.pdf

    22. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Asking, yes. They can ask. They are not asking, they are ordering. They can ask anything they want and Apple can comply or not. That's what a request is. This is not a request. This is an order. I've read almost all the replies - I've been in and out all day. I'm still not seeing where, in this case, the authority to issue this order comes from.

      As near as I know (and I can find no evidence contrary) the All Writs Act is only usable in a matter before the judge. This is not before the judge - there's nobody charged. Unless I'm missing something. As near as I can tell, they only need to overcome that hurdle by charging someone officially (via indictment and arraignment) and then we can argue the merits. Right now, there's the whole procedure thing and, while I'm not a lawyer but I do know many and have a lot of time in the courts and around them, I'm really, really positive that they take that whole procedure seriously. They'll appeal (and win) a whole case based on procedure alone.

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    23. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by Agripa · · Score: 1

      I know that. Under what authority does the judge issue this order? Namely, procedural-wise. Who has been charged? A writ is, if I understand correctly, basically a fancy name for motion for discovery which means that someone must have been charged at the point of issue.

      Once we get past that, we can debate the merits. We can then argue that it is overreach. We can then argue that it is an undue burden. But, more important (to me - and seemingly to this judge, if I'm understanding) is where hell do they get off thinking that they have this authority?

      The authority for the judge to issue the writ in this case comes from the All Writs Act passed in 1789.

    24. Re:This is what I've been saying since day one... by bitingduck · · Score: 1

      read my post carefully.

      the DOJ thinks the AWA gives the judge the authority. The judge explained that he thinks he doesn't have the authority to issue a writ in this case.

  7. not binding, but still useful by Trepidity · · Score: 4, Informative

    When courts are encountering an issue that's been decided before in another court, they often at least consider the other court's rationale, even if it's not binding precedent for them. That's termed "persuasive precedent". It's especially useful when several decisions going the same way pile up; then a party in a subsequent case can say, "every previous court to consider this issue has decided [x]", putting the onus on the other side to explain why the case here should go differently.

    1. Re:not binding, but still useful by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      This is VERY useful in one specific way. If a Federal judge in California rules differently and upholds the California lower judges order to Apple then there is almost a 100% guarantee that an appeal must be heard by the Supreme Court. It's one thing to have 2 federal districts having different judgements about 'effectively' or even 'virtually' the same question...it is entirely another when the two judgements impact the same defendant...

      The thing that has always struck me a bit odd is that the Supreme Court can decide unilaterally to hear a case & pass judgement for almost any reason they want. Presumably they use some kind of precedent & logic but I've read about cases where there is clearly a disagreement in law (not in fact) & the Supreme Court will decide not to hear the case leaving conflicting rulings stand in two different Federal Districts. I get that there are 'only' 9 Supreme Court judges & they have to manage their workload but their job is to ensure consistency...people can disagree with their rulings but without consistency across the Federal Districts it is entirely a hit & miss situation.

      Last but not least, while this ruling almost ensure the Supreme Court will have to agree to hear any appeals (presuming conflicting rulings) that doesn't of course mean they will choose to pick the winner properly (where 'properly' depends on which side of this issue any given person stands)

    2. Re:not binding, but still useful by bitingduck · · Score: 1

      This is VERY useful in one specific way. If a Federal judge in California rules differently and upholds the California lower judges order to Apple then there is almost a 100% guarantee that an appeal must be heard by the Supreme Court.

      The district judge (who is a federal judge) in California can still rescind the order based on Apple's filing. If she does, then it will depend on whether DOJ decides to appeal one or both of the cases.

  8. I foresee a new wave by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    of crime wash over NYC.

    Also, harbouring hosted encrypted services would appear to be safer...

  9. Re:Darn that President of yours plays a long game by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

    he had a supreme judge bumped off just so he could ensure the majority vote on this issue.

    . . . and I thought that Obama was was going to nominate himself for the empty seat on the Supreme Court . . . maybe now, Obama might nominate Tim Cook as on of the Chief Justices . . . ?

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  10. The App Store, once Apple settles with FBI (humor) by rcharbon · · Score: 2

    http://www.y42k.com/2016/02/29/when-apple-settles-with-the-fbi/

  11. Re:Darn that President of yours plays a long game by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 5, Funny

    . . . and I thought that Obama was was going to nominate himself for the empty seat on the Supreme Court

    He can't do that. Biden will recess-appoint him after Obama resigns, and just before BIden walks into the DNC convention and kicks Sanders to the curb.

    --
    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
  12. Since this device is running iOS 7... by daveschroeder · · Score: 2

    ...I guess it's time for Apple to update its law enforcement compliance guide:

    I. Extracting Data from Passcode Locked iOS Devices

    [...]

    For iOS devices running iOS versions earlier than iOS 8.0, upon receipt of a valid search warrant issued upon a showing of probable cause, Apple can extract certain categories of active data from passcode locked iOS devices. Specifically, the user generated active files on an iOS device that are contained in Appleâ(TM)s native apps and for which the data is not encrypted using the passcode (âoeuser generated active filesâ), can be extracted and provided to law enforcement on external media. Apple can perform this data extraction process on iOS devices running iOS 4 through iOS 7. Please note the only categories of user generated active files that can be provided to law enforcement, pursuant to a valid search warrant, are: SMS, iMessage, MMS, photos, videos, contacts, audio recording, and call history. Apple cannot provide: email, calendar entries, or any third-party app data.

  13. Re:Not much reaction yet from the Wall St. casinos by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 1

    Why would it? Apple isn't going to go bankrupt if a judge rules one way or another.

  14. Whose phone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    phone belonging to San Bernadino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook

    My understanding was that the phone belonged to his employer. To me that's a big difference that the social privacy warriors like to gloss over. Another issue is why this phone used by such an individual is seemingly more sacrosanct than anything else he actually owns. If Apple can't be bothered to change a single parameter in its operating system why can't they otherwise help to provide the contents of the phone - to its rightful owner?

    1. Re:Whose phone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Who owns the phone isn't relevant to the issue or the arguments that either side is making.

      Nobody's disputing the FBI's legal power to get into the phone to view its contents; what's being contended is whether they are entitled to Apple's technical help in doing so, even at the cost of exposing innocent users to the same intrusion.

    2. Re:Whose phone? by AHuxley · · Score: 1

      AC its not a "single parameter", it would be creating free backdoor keys to an entire generation of cell phones.
      Any "rightful owner" would then be using a device open to the US gov, other 5 eye nations staff, other random nations spies, police forces, internal affairs, all their ex staff, former staff, contractors and anyone with the cash to buy the same method.
      AC the US holds the Fourth Amendment sacrosanct, just giving gov workers, contractors, other nations staff free legal access to generations of cell users is a bad idea for security and privacy given the wide global use of such access methods.
      This is not about access to one phone but creating legal junk crypto for generations of phones.

      --
      Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
    3. Re:Whose phone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      If you have an encrypted file on your computer at work, the file itself might be property of the company by virtue of being created on company time and on company equipment. But is there an obligation, legally or morally, for you to provide unencrypted access to said file without proper warrants? And if you're not around, or you refuse to provide access (i.e. 5th amendment), and you used a program developed by Bruce Schneier (just popping out a random security researcher here), should Bruce be compelled by the All Writs to break his own program and in so doing tarnish his good name?

    4. Re:Whose phone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      US holds the Fourth Amendment sacrosanct

      That's why there are things called search warrants and a court order was involved here. Or are you asserting some special category for cell phones?

      exposing innocent users

      Think of the children!

      ... to the same intrusion

      It's not intrusion when there's permission from the owner - that's why ownership is relevant. It's like the eviction, after the required court order, of a delinquent tenant who squats on your property.

      should Bruce be compelled

      Yes, if it's by a judge who's reviewed the evidence presented by both sides.

      ...to break his own program

      I think terms like "break" and "backdoor" are in this instance typical of the hyperbole used by the social $cause warriors to promote their $cause. The goal is for law enforcement to obtain the data on the phone - with the permission of the phone's owner. Disabling the max login attempts is just one (presumably simple) way to achieve that. If Apple's really that worried that this, oh so special, version of their regularly updated OS is going to bring about 1984 they've yet to make that case.

    5. Re:Whose phone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Think of the children!

      That's a catchphrase, not a rebuttal.

      It's not intrusion when there's permission from the owner - that's why ownership is relevant. It's like the eviction, after the required court order, of a delinquent tenant who squats on your property.

      You missed the point of my statement. Apple can't give the FBI a tool that will break "just this one phone, just this one time". By definition, that tool will be able to break any of their phones (at the very least, any of the same generation), regardless of who owns it, what's on it, or whether a valid warrant has been issued. That's what I mean by exposing innocent users to the same intrusion.

      I don't care how much you object to the terms "break" and "backdoor" - they are entirely accurate descriptions of what's being demanded.

      If Apple's really that worried that this, oh so special, version of their regularly updated OS is going to bring about 1984 they've yet to make that case.

      Except that they already did. Successfully.

  15. Re:Darn that President of yours plays a long game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    What makes you think that Obama favors Apple's position?

  16. All Writs in danger by v1 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If this goes far enough and it looks like it's going to get put up to SCOTUS, it's very likely the feds wil back down. Because then All Writs goes under the supreme microscope and may itself get ruled unconstitutional. THAT is something the FBI doesn't want to happen, because it's too useful of a law to lose. They're playing a dangerous game of chicken here. That NYC judge spelled it out, All Writs is a blank check. It's not even a matter of "inadequate protections against abuse"... it has essentially NO limits at all. The law just has to say "we need you to cooperate", and you have to do what they tell you to do, unless you can prove that it's clearly too much effort to demand. So if they can make a case that it's not too difficult for you to do, you have to do it, yours or anyone else's rights be damned. That'll make it a tough sell to keep on the books if SCOTUS gets involved.

    Go look up "writ of assistance". In theory it was a "you can't interfere with my doing my govt job", but in practice it was typically applied as a "you are required to cooperate with and assist me in performing my government job, otherwise you're interfering with me". (it was a similar blank check, and was often used as a perpetual univeral search warrant for customs) That's one of a handful of principle complaints we had a few hundred years ago while living under England. I have NO idea how All Writs got on OUR books after we so clearly despised its grandfather, and it needs to go away. So I'm all for Apple talking this to the top.

    --
    I work for the Department of Redundancy Department.
    1. Re:All Writs in danger by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... assist me in performing my government job ...

      For the most part, assistance has meant handing over property or evidence. Apple doesn't have any evidence and the US DOJ doesn't want evidence, they want the power to decrypt phones at will. So this "... need to co-operate" by building a tool for the FBI is an extension of police power and of the power of this act.

      ... yours or anyone else's rights be damned.

      "... ordering Apple to help the government by extracting data ..." is ordering Apple to do their job for them. The writ spends many words claiming this is a one-time event. No-one believes that but what is the slippery slope for this coerced co-operation? US Police already employ a private business to perform traffic stops for them. Can they now demand 'Mothers against drink-driving' stop cars and breathalyze drivers?

  17. He just handed it over to the congress to solve. by dsmatthews9379 · · Score: 2

    "The ruling is not binding in any other court"

    "Orenstein found that the All Writs Act does not apply in instances where Congress had the opportunity but failed to create an authority for the government to get the type of help it was seeking, such as having firms ensure they have a way to obtain data from encrypted phones."

    So he is saying, OK if you want it, put it in law explicitly and see how the voters react to it. Seems to be conformation of what I pointed out the other day, this "issue" is confected with the aim of getting it into the lime light and making it a current political diving point.

  18. Re:He just handed it over to the congress to solve by dsmatthews9379 · · Score: 1

    ...making it a current political dividing point.

  19. Judge Sides With FBI In Cali by zenlessyank · · Score: 1

    http://www.reuters.com/article... So maybe this is a better story ;)

    1. Re: Judge Sides With FBI In Cali by MachineShedFred · · Score: 1

      FBI's boss supports FBI is not a story.

      --
      Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
    2. Re:Judge Sides With FBI In Cali by Anubis+IV · · Score: 1

      Your link says nothing regarding ANY judge. It says the US Attorney General, i.e. the federal government's chief prosecutor, supports the FBI, which isn't at all surprising, since aside from being at the federal level, it's no different than a local District Attorney coming out in support of their local police. The two work together and go hand in hand, one enforcing and the other prosecuting. Neither is a judge.

      In contrast to your assertion, in fact, the California judge's initial court order was made ex parte without Apple even being permitted to present their side, so the judge hasn't even had a chance to rule on the merits of Apple's stance. Now that Apple has been able to win a different case where the FBI was using the same line of logic as in California, it's more likely Apple will be able to win in California.

  20. Re:He just handed it over to the congress to solve by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No, diving is correct. GP obviously meant they're going to go diving, in order to perform stunts for the public. You know, like Greg Louganis. Everybody will watch, but it turns out, nobody knows what they're doing anyway.

    Either that, or somebody is going to take a dive on this issue, but I can't quite see that.

  21. All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by raymorris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The authority the FBI points to is the All Writs Act, passed in 1789. It's a law which probably should be repealed, but hasn't been. It says the following:

    (a) The Supreme Court and all courts established by Act of Congress may issue all writs necessary or appropriate in aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and principles of law.

    (b) An alternative writ or rule nisi may be issued by a justice or judge of a court which has jurisdiction.

    By the text of the law, a court may render any order which is EITHER necessary OR appropriate in aid of a case under their jurisdiction, provided it is consistent with other law. To be clear, I'm not saying that SHOULD be the law; I don't like it, but that IS the text of the law, and it has been for 227 years.

    Subsequent court decisions have held that when Congress passes a law providing more detail about a certain type of order, the more specific law controls. This is how they interpret the phrase "agreeable to the usages and principles of law". In other words, courts can issue any order they want, under the All Writs Act, unless there is some other law saying otherwise. So the legal question is, "is there some other act of Congress which overrides in this case?"

    So by law, the question comes back to you (and Apple): "by what law is the authority granted by the All Writs Acts removed?"

    Apple points out that Congress did make a law requiring telecommunications manufacturers and carriers to allow for phone taps, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, but chose not to address decryption of past communications in that particular law. They made other laws in this general area, but none (other than the All Writs Act) that would allow for this type of order. Recently, Congress debated making a law that would require decryption. Congress didn't end up passing any law. The FBI says "because there is no law to the contrary, the All Writs Act applies". Apple says "because Congress chose not to make a law requiring decryption, that's the same as Congress making a law forbidding an order to decrypt, and the All Writs Act should not apply".

    As much as I'd prefer Apple to win, their argument that Congress NOT passing a law is the same as Congress passing the opposite law is a bit silly. The fact that Congress didn't pass a law making cardboard legal is NOT the same as Congress passing a law making cardboard illegal.

    The All Writs Act should be repealed, but it hasn't been. Courts have "interpreted" in such a way to trim it down to Constitutional scope. It FEELS like this use of it SHOULD be unconstitutional, but how so? The Constitution basically says the police have to get a warrant before they can search the phone. They did get the warrant.

    Is this a taking of Apple's property (resources) without due process? We're watching the due process, so I don't see any specific clause of the Constitution which forbids it. In my analysis, the All Writs Act, though a bad law, is law and does give the court the authority.

    1. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by KGIII · · Score: 1

      Right, but that requires someone to have been charged, yes? It's about procedure, more than anything else, in my head. (Due process.) As I've said, the procedure's lacking in that nobody has been charged. Thus, under what authority is this order being given?

      As I've said, nobody has been arraigned, charged formally, indicted, or anything. There is no due process here - there's no charges made. This is not a warrant but a writ. It comes from the All Writs Act. The All Writs Act applies (if it does even apply here eventually) only if someone's charged - it's not used as a sweeping discovery, or at least it hasn't been.

      Not to mention, it's turning over all papers. It's not got anything to do with decrypting them but that's a whole other subject. The first subject (and issue) is procedural and is due process related, where does the judge get the authority to make this order?

      --
      "So long and thanks for all the fish."
    2. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by Ixokai · · Score: 4, Informative

      Why do you think someone has to be charged first? You seem to have this very firm idea that its an absolute requirement that someone has to be charged before a court has jurisdiction over them.

      They don't.

      Search warrants happen all the time before someone is charged, they rely on a judge determining there's probable cause -- these happen BEFORE charges because they're how the initial evidence of the crime is gathered.

      This is similar, though its not a search warrant and Apple is not a party to the actual criminal investigation (which makes this all a little bit weird). The authority for this order comes from the All Writ's Act. Its practically a blanket authorization of judicial orders covering anything that's not specifically covered by another area of law.

      Its a horrible law, but was passed when the country was young and it hadn't fully developed all of its body of law yet, but whenever there's something novel that happens, the All Writ's Act gets invoked.

      Its established in other law that third party companies have a responsibility to assist the executive in exercising its authority -- wire tapping, for example -- provided several tests are passed, such as it not being an undue burden. Apple argues, among other things, that this is an undue burden (and no talking about how rich they are matters: undue burden is a legal distinction that doesn't go away just because you can afford it). But, as with a telecom company and wire taps, no one has to be charged before the judicial order is made requiring the telecom to assist the executive in the wire tapping.

      The thing is, that 'established in other law' is not only being stretched by the FBI here, but Congress specifically forbade the executive from mandating certain technological decisions that would lead to them being able to break digital encryption. So the FBI is citing the All Writ's Act to get the order, instead of relying on the CALEA, which specifically addresses what is legally required of companies in the form of assistance provided, and under what limitations such assistance operates under.

    3. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by dunkindave · · Score: 1

      As much as I'd prefer Apple to win, their argument that Congress NOT passing a law is the same as Congress passing the opposite law is a bit silly. The fact that Congress didn't pass a law making cardboard legal is NOT the same as Congress passing a law making cardboard illegal.

      Bad analogy or strawman. Congress has never had a bill brought before it to legalize cardboard that I know of, and on the very off chance it has, it was killed for being a joke, not on the merits. This means there is no information about how Congress feels about the legality of cardboard, and certainly nothing to indicate Congress feels cardboard should be illegal. Also, the default is for such things to be legal for citizens, so by not passing a law to prohibit it, it defaults to legal.

      On the other hand, Congress has debated legislation related to the issues in this case and therefore has a record of choosing not to enact such police authority, so it can be directly inferred that Congress has chosen NOT to give this ability to the police. And for such police powers, the default is typically that they have no more power than a regular citizen, and in some ways less, unless that power has been granted them by a law, and in this case it has not.

    4. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple points out that Congress did make a law requiring telecommunications manufacturers and carriers to allow for phone taps, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, but chose not to address decryption of past communications in that particular law. They made other laws in this general area, but none (other than the All Writs Act) that would allow for this type of order. Recently, Congress debated making a law that would require decryption. Congress didn't end up passing any law. The FBI says "because there is no law to the contrary, the All Writs Act applies". Apple says "because Congress chose not to make a law requiring decryption, that's the same as Congress making a law forbidding an order to decrypt, and the All Writs Act should not apply".

      As much as I'd prefer Apple to win, their argument that Congress NOT passing a law is the same as Congress passing the opposite law is a bit silly The fact that Congress didn't pass a law making cardboard legal is NOT the same as Congress passing a law making cardboard illegal.

      I believe your reasoning/interpretation is mildly incorrect. The argument is not that since Congress did not pass a law requiring decryption that it is therefore illegal, but rather the argument is that since Congress believed that it needed to pass legislation to make required decryption legal, that Congress believes that requiring decryption is currently illegal.

      Since Congress did not pass a law legalizing required decryption when they believed it to be illegal, it can be argued that it was the intent of Congress for requiring decryption to remain illegal.

    5. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by Wovel · · Score: 2

      Apple is also making first amendment arguments: code has been ruled to speech, speech can not be compelled by the government, corporations are protected by the first amendment.

      Further down you said we are seeing due process. You would certainly agree then that the the original ex-parte ruling unconstitutional.

      Tell me why the 9th and 10th amendments did not invalidate the all writs act when they were enacted. Put that question in front of any rational jurist and it should be self-evident. Unfortunately, judges have been reluctant to take away their own power. Obviously, the magistrate from New York is an exception. The All Writs Act is an unconstitutional law. The fact that it has stood for more than 200 years since the bill of rights just proves how rare this magistrate is.

      We don't need a law to give judges power to fill in gaps in the law. As far as the federal government is concerned, the law is explicit. You don't have to be a radical constructionist to believe this. Just a rational human. There is no law or constitutional power given to the government to conscript third parties into assisting with criminal investigations. Due process may compel you to hand over items or testify in court. It can't be used to conscript anyone into civilian law enforcement.

    6. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by bitingduck · · Score: 1

      Apple is also making first amendment arguments: code has been ruled to speech, speech can not be compelled by the government, corporations are protected by the first amendment.

      It doesn't look like they made that argument in NY, or the order would probably have addressed it. The phone in the NY case runs iOS 7, which doesn't require them to produce new tools to get the information off of.

      The All Writs Act is an unconstitutional law. The fact that it has stood for more than 200 years since the bill of rights just proves how rare this magistrate is.

      We don't need a law to give judges power to fill in gaps in the law. As far as the federal government is concerned, the law is explicit.

      The AWA doesn't appear on its face to be unconstitutional, just the application of it that the DOJ was asking for. Orenstein's order gives a nice history, pointing out that the AWA was passed by the first congress that included many of the writers of the constitution and many of the state delegates who voted to ratify it. It's intended as something of a judicial lubricant so that the legislative branch doesn't have to enumerate every possible case of every possible thing. It is, however, limited and shouldn't be used to address things that are really the business of the legislature (i.e. Congress). The order even highlights how at the same time that the request for an ex parte order was being filed in his court, Comey was publicly announcing that the FBI wasn't going to pursue changes to CALEA and that this was a transparent attempt to bypass the legislative process. He then goes on to more or less agree with you that AWA can't be used for all the things that I cut out of the rest of your quote.

    7. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by whoever57 · · Score: 1

      The All Writs Act should be repealed, but it hasn't been. Courts have "interpreted" in such a way to trim it down to Constitutional scope. It FEELS like this use of it SHOULD be unconstitutional, but how so? The Constitution basically says the police have to get a warrant before they can search the phone. They did get the warrant.

      I don't think anyone is arguing that this use of the AWA invokes a 4th amendment violation. I think that the arguments are that:
      1. The constitution doesn't give the government the right to order someone to do something that would be burdensome.
      2. Ordering Apple to create this software and sign it may be a violation of the 1st amendment.
      3. Other???

      --
      The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
    8. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Good analysis. You missed one thing:

      Apple says "because Congress chose not to make a law requiring decryption, that's the same as Congress making a law forbidding an order to decrypt, and the All Writs Act should not apply".

      As much as I'd prefer Apple to win, their argument that Congress NOT passing a law is the same as Congress passing the opposite law is a bit silly. The fact that Congress didn't pass a law making cardboard legal is NOT the same as Congress passing a law making cardboard illegal.

      This post explains it.

      Orenstein found that the All Writs Act does not apply in instances where Congress had the opportunity but failed to create an authority for the government to get the type of help it was seeking, such as having firms ensure they have a way to obtain data from encrypted phones.

    9. Re:All Writs Act (1789), which is two sentences by JesseMcDonald · · Score: 1

      Justice Stevens' dissenting opinion on the 1977 United States, Petitioner, v. New York Telephone Company case is as insightful and applicable to smartphone backdoors today as it was in 1977 when the court ordered a telephone company to provide technical assistance with installing a pen register. In particular:

      If the All Writs Act confers authority to order persons to aid the Government in the performance of its duties, and is no longer to be confined to orders which must be entered to enable the court to carry out its functions, it provides a sweeping grant of authority entirely without precedent in our Nation's history. Of course, there is precedent for such authority in the common law the writ of assistance. The use of that writ by the judges appointed by King George III was one British practice that the Revolution was specifically intended to terminate. ... I can understand why the Court today does not seek to support its holding by reference to that writ, but I cannot understand its disregard of the statutory requirement that the writ be "agreeable to the usages and principles of law."

      (The rest of the dissent is also well worth reading.) Even without an actual repeal of the All Writs Act, the Act should never have been interpreted so broadly as to cover what the court is demanding from Apple.

      --
      "The state is that great fiction by which everyone tries to live at the expense of everyone else." - Bastiat
  22. Re:Not much reaction yet from the Wall St. casinos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Everyone knows the Feds already have it. Apple knows they have it. The Feds want presidence so every other company will willingly step in line.

  23. Enrique Marquez HAS been charged by raymorris · · Score: 1

    Right, but that requires someone to have been charged, yes? It's about procedure, more than anything else, in my head. (Due process.) As I've said, the procedure's lacking in that nobody has been charged. ... As I've said, nobody has been arraigned

    The surviving conspirator, Enrique Marquez, HAS been charged. Apparently he bought the guns used in the attack and otherwise assisted in this attack and previously planned attacks.

    1. Re:Enrique Marquez HAS been charged by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      The surviving conspirator, Enrique Marquez, HAS been charged. Apparently he bought the guns used in the attack and otherwise assisted in this attack and previously planned attacks.

      So has anything else the shooter used at his work been declared evidence in the case against Enrique Marquez? I guess his stapler could have been used as a weapon...

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  24. Re:Not much reaction yet from the Wall St. casinos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Because not enough consumers care (look at number of people on Facebook).

    When there is an iPhone Pro, then this "marketing position" will become measurably valuable.

  25. World In Chaos by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Situation perfect.

    Ha ha ha hah ha ha ahaa ha hah ha a ha ha Ah.

  26. yo timothy, i herd ur a numbnuts by edittard · · Score: 1

    give them full access to content of the phone belonging to a drug dealer's phone.

    Yo dawg, I herd ur phone likes phones, so I gave ur phone a phone ...

    --
    At the bottom of the /. main page it says 'Yesterday's News'. Well they got that right.
  27. In unrelated news by Gumbercules!! · · Score: 1

    The US government has sided with Samsung and is banning iPhone sales for patent violation, at least until Apple "sees reason".

    (I am kidding, btw, before someone takes this seriously and tries to ask for a reference...)

    1. Re:In unrelated news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ref plz

  28. But Apple has 70 times before by jader3rd · · Score: 0

    The FBI has said that what they're asking of Apple, is something which Apple has done 70 times before for them. So it's not really burdensome.

    1. Re:But Apple has 70 times before by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Government, specifically the DoJ and FBI, can pound sand as far as I am concerned.

    2. Re:But Apple has 70 times before by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If that is true, and in those cases the FBI retained the phone in question, can't they already use the same software update on other phones, or is it a service that Apple provides that leaves no record of the implemented software in the phone whose passcode attempt limit has been bypassed?

    3. Re:But Apple has 70 times before by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Apple is explicitly denying they ever wrote a custom OS to compromise the security for government access. The FBI is saying "you gave us data from over 70 phones previously" doesn't contradict that.

      On easier iPhones, it was pretty easy to access the data and brute force the passcode , and thats what Apple did - likely exactly the same tools as the rest of the jailbreak & forensics communities

      On recent iPhones, Apple would have to pull a team of engineers off other stuff, to do a custom OS build to do this.

      The method they used before no longer works on modern phones, and Apple doesn't want to roll back the clock to enable it.

    4. Re:But Apple has 70 times before by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      The FBI has said that what they're asking of Apple, is something which Apple has done 70 times before for them. So it's not really burdensome.

      So you claim the FBI is as much a liar as you are? Fuck, even the EFF says you are a liar, and they claimed Apple build DRM into their headphones.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  29. Re:Darn that President of yours plays a long game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Now now, take Trump's dick out of your mouth. It's ok. You can think for yourself for once.

  30. free speech? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    regarding the general case of iphone privacy, i dont buy the free speech angle. its more than speech. the code, when run, generates immediate actions, even if at a microscopic level, and causes the device to function. Thats like shouting out in a crowded theatre, FIRE. you WILL get action. such speech is not always protected, as it leads to direct actions. what i WOULD buy is an analogy to wearing a mike during a sting operation. the police can ask you to wear a mike, and can offer you a better deal if you are incriminated in the matter, but they cannot force you to wear a mike. do your civic duty? sure, but at your own risk, so it voluntary. Apple has the right to refuse to engage in ACTIONS: creating software that WILL generate activity, and then giving that software to the govt, thus putting it outside their own security apparatus. Since this set of actions will most assuredly harm apple, the company, and its employees, are under no obligation to take actions that will harm them directly, in this case in severe damage to their product. even if apple has already created code for a backdoor, and locked it in a vault somewhere, thats their right to do it and keep it secret. but, i may be wrong about the free speech angle. i think the crux of free speech is that its ONLY speech, not action. our freedom of action ends where others freedom of actions begins, but speech is not limited in that regard. smoke free environs is limiting action, hate speech limits are ok if its incitement to violence (or very likely to result in such).

  31. Private&state PR campaign? by Max_W · · Score: 0

    I cannot get rid of an impression that this is a PR campaign to create an illusion that our data on smartphones is not easily available to agencies anytime anywhere, as an information at one's fingertips.

    We may remember what E.Snowden said about how it really works, but an optical-cognitive illusion is a powerful thing. For example, the Müller-Lyer illusion persists even one is aware that it is an illusion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

  32. Chinese by AndyCanfield · · Score: 2

    If the FBI wins, everyone in the USA will be insecure, and everyone else in the world will buy an iOrange phone from China.

    The constitution says "We the people,,,". not "We the paranoid cops...".

    I'd rather be free than safe.

  33. Re:He just handed it over to the congress to solve by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 2

    "The ruling is not binding in any other court" "Orenstein found that the All Writs Act does not apply in instances where Congress had the opportunity but failed to create an authority for the government to get the type of help it was seeking, such as having firms ensure they have a way to obtain data from encrypted phones." So he is saying, OK if you want it, put it in law explicitly and see how the voters react to it.

    More like "change the law that says you can't".

    In the section of CALEA entitled “Design of features and systems configurations,” 47 U.S.C. 1002(b)(1), the statute says that it “does not authorize any law enforcement agency or officer —

    (1) to require any specific design of equipment, facilities, services, features, or system configurations to be adopted by any provider of a wire or electronic communication service, any manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, or any provider of telecommunications support services.

    --
    Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  34. Re:Not much reaction yet from the Wall St. casinos by stealth_finger · · Score: 2, Funny

    Apple has already given the data away to marketers.

    ^ TROLL

    You're right, they don't give away data, they sold it. Probably for twice what it was worth because they put in a shiny folder with an apple logo on it.

    --
    Wanna buy a shirt?
    https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  35. Easy solution moving forward by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Govt requires smart phone makers to have a way to get data off of the encrypted phones - or the manufacturers aren't allowed to sell in the US.

    problem solved.

  36. Re:Darn that President of yours plays a long game by MitchDev · · Score: 1

    More importantly, after he jettisons Hilary into the sun...

    Trump vs. Hillary? The only winners are the people who realized America is doomed if either of them is elected....

  37. Issue by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just in case anyone doesn't understand the issue: Let's just assume that the FBI's intentions here are perfectly noble and they just want the one phone's data. In order to get it, they are claiming they need Apple to break its own security. That goes directly contrary to Apple's business interests and would reduce the value of its devices immediately following success. It also would provide the methodology to do so to every other party that looks to break into people's data on those devices. That list of parties is quite long, and none of them are friendly to Apple's customers.

    1. Re:Issue by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And none of this has anything to do with the Judge's decision in New York.

      In the New York case, the presiding magistrate said specifically and on no uncertain terms that The Writs Act does NOT convey rights upon government that are not already granted to it by Congress. It therefore then necessarily follows that the government cannot manufacture out of whole cloth the right to compel someone who is not a party to the specific case to perform an act against their will.

  38. Yea! Encryption! Wohoo! by ememisya · · Score: 1

    Apple's got unbreakable encryption and won over the FBI for the right to protect it. That's a historic moment, I am impressed. I might switch to Apple afterall.

  39. Re: Not much reaction yet from the Wall St. casino by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Right, all the US has to do, is ask China for the codes. They gave the latest code to China in November. A small back of the paper item. But reality steps in. They, the US want the phone writ to legalize what is on the phone. So that it may be used as evidence. The problem is, its in the wrong hands, if it was still in the dealer's hand, its untainted, but it's in the governments. Custody problem. Plus, did the government taint the phone. No case.
    Finally a judge looking out for a defendant. How unusual. Not expected.

  40. Re: Darn that President of yours plays a long game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Considering how long it took to come up with the argument, I wouldn't trust him with my liberties. Or to care for my position. Judging from his lawyers arguments, my wallet. Just thankful the arbritator, was.

  41. The judge said that, after he made it up by raymorris · · Score: 1

    > Orenstein found that the All Writs Act does not apply in instances where Congress had the opportunity but failed to create [a law]

    That's what the judge said. He gets that from "interpreting" these words in the Act:
    agreeable to the usages and principles of law

    That's always been interpreted to come in where Congress HAS made a law disallowing a particular type of order, under whatever conditions. Orenstein ruled that Congress NOT passing a law allowing the decryption is equivalent to this passing a law disallowing it, for this purpose. This is questionable precedent because by the exact same logic, if Congress could have passed a law explicitly allowing you to encrypt your data but decided they didn't need to, that's equivalent to them making a law disallowing encryption. His aim is noble, but the logic gymnastics he uses to get there are questionable.

    In other words, Congress "had the opportunity but failed to create" a law allowing encryption. Therefore .. NOTHING. The fact that Congress did NOT do something has no effect. To ascribe to Congress the intent to do the opposite of everything they haven't done is silly.

  42. 1789 by phorm · · Score: 1

    When this law was made, George Washington was literally still president, the US Supreme court had not yet convened for the first time, and Vermont wasn't even a state yet.

    Courts have "interpreted" in such a way to trim it down to Constitutional scope.It FEELS like this use of it SHOULD be unconstitutional, but how so?

    In 1789, the constitution hadn't even been ratified yet (that didn't occur until May, 1790)

    Hell, during this time the US government was still fighting Native Indians with the help of the bloody British.

    To say that this law is outdated and out-of-place in this current era of technology and rights is a massive understatement.

  43. Apple is a corporation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and that puts it in the next tier above governments.

    Corporations arent beholden to governments... governments are beholden to corporations. Apple doesnt have to do a damn thing the govt says. Just ask Exxon, BP, Disney, TW, BofA, Nike, the list goes on & on. When the govt tries to boss you around just tell them to fuck off & cough up more "tax rebates".

    Corporations arent people.. theyre much much more important & powerful than people could ever be.

    I dont understand why apple is even entertaining this crap.

  44. Re:Darn that President of yours plays a long game by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So, how does this winning help? I already realize that, but I cannot figure out how to come out ahead individually or as a citizen... :/

  45. much like the Constitution itself by raymorris · · Score: 1

    As you pointed out, the All Writs Act is as old as the Constitution, and written by many of the same people.

    You then seem to say that BECAUSE it's old, it should be ignored. By your logic, the Constitution, since it is also old, should be ignored.

    The All Writs Act should be repealed because it's a BAD law, not because it's an OLD law.

    The All Writs Act and Bernie Sanders are both old and deserving of contempt, but they aren't deserving of contempt BECAUSE they are old.

    1. Re:much like the Constitution itself by phorm · · Score: 1

      Not that it's an OLD law, but an outdated law. They're not necessarily the same.

      Some things covered by old laws don't change much. Murder, for example, is murder, regardless of whether you use a rock, a gun, or a drone. There are some nuances around intent etc but overall it's much the same.

      In this case though, this law itself is somewhat nuanced, dated, and was created before some of the most important factors of US law and government even existed.

  46. Article 3 of the Constitution by raymorris · · Score: 1

    > Tell me why the 9th and 10th amendments did not invalidate the all writs act when they were enacted.

    The 10th amendment says that powers NOT given to the feds are reserved to the states and the people. It doesn't remove powers that ARE Constitutionally granted to the federal government. Article 3 of the Constitution vest "the judicial power" in the courts and enumerates their jurisdiction. The All Writs Act specifically limits itself to the jurisdiction of the court - the same limit applied by article 3.