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DOJ Threatens To Seize iOS Source Code (idownloadblog.com)
An anonymous reader writes from an article posted on iDownloadBlog: The DoJ is demanding that Apple create a special version of iOS with removed security features that would permit the FBI to run brute-force passcode attempts on the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone 5c. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama has made public where he stands on the Apple vs. FBI case, which has quickly become a heated national debate. In the court papers, DoJ calls Apple's rhetoric in the San Bernardino standoff as "false" and "corrosive" because the Cupertino firm dared suggest that the FBI's court order could lead to a "police state." Footnote Nine of DoJ's filing reads:
"For the reasons discussed above, the FBI cannot itself modify the software on the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone without access to the source code and Apple's private electronic signature. The government did not seek to compel Apple to turn those over because it believed such a request would be less palatable to Apple. If Apple would prefer that course, however, that may provide an alternative that requires less labor by Apple programmers."
As Fortune's Philip-Elmer DeWitt rightfully pointed out, that's a classic police threat. "We can do this [the] easy way or the hard way. Give us the little thing we're asking for -- a way to bypass your security software -- or we'll take [the] whole thing: your crown jewels and the royal seal too," DeWitt wrote. "With Apple's source code, the FBI could, in theory, create its own version of iOS with the security features stripped out. Stamped with Apple's electronic signature, the Bureau's versions of iOS could pass for the real thing," he added.
"For the reasons discussed above, the FBI cannot itself modify the software on the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone without access to the source code and Apple's private electronic signature. The government did not seek to compel Apple to turn those over because it believed such a request would be less palatable to Apple. If Apple would prefer that course, however, that may provide an alternative that requires less labor by Apple programmers."
As Fortune's Philip-Elmer DeWitt rightfully pointed out, that's a classic police threat. "We can do this [the] easy way or the hard way. Give us the little thing we're asking for -- a way to bypass your security software -- or we'll take [the] whole thing: your crown jewels and the royal seal too," DeWitt wrote. "With Apple's source code, the FBI could, in theory, create its own version of iOS with the security features stripped out. Stamped with Apple's electronic signature, the Bureau's versions of iOS could pass for the real thing," he added.
Wait, I'm white. Does this affect me yet?
Yeah, we really need an amendment for the right to bear iPhones...
Most linux users don't know this, but the man pages were named after Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris fsck'ing hates noobs!
it is all George Bush's fault. right?
I know you're just trying to be funny, but when the shit hits the fan the military and law enforcement will be on our side, not the government's.
> And seriously, who the hell is gonna hack your mobile phone?
I really hope you're never put in charge of anything important.
That guy has threatened to arrest "rascal" Apple CEO, if it comes up.
So, would sheriff Judd hesitate to arrest Cook himself?
the FBI ends up with its finger up its ass anyway.
The FBI has had their finger up their ass since the day they were created. Hoover had a bit of a secret life.
-- Will program for bandwidth
And that's aside from the value of iOS, for which Apple would have to be compensated. Can you begin to imagine what that would be? Or the additional court cases to determine said value?
No problem -- President Trump will build that backdoor and make Apple pay for it.
I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.