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Apple Is Building An Online Portal For Police To Make Data Requests (cnet.com)
In a letter last Tuesday to Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Apple said it is working on an online portal for law enforcement officials to submit and track requests for data and obtain responses from the company. Apple also said it's "creating a dedicated team to help train law enforcement officials around the world in digital forensics," reports CNET. From the report: The letter, seen by CNET, addresses recommendations made in a report issued earlier this year by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) regarding cybersecurity and the "digital evidence needs" of law enforcement agencies. Apple said in the letter that it's eager to adopt the report's recommendations, including making upgrades to its law enforcement training program. This includes developing an online training module for police that mirrors Apple's current in-person training, according to the letter and to details on the company's website.
"This will assist Apple in training a larger number of law enforcement agencies and officers globally, and ensure that our company's information and guidance can be updated to reflect the rapidly changing data landscape," the site says. Apple also reiterated in the letter that it's "committed to protecting the security and privacy of our users" and that company initiatives and "the work we do to assist investigations uphold this fundamental commitment."
"This will assist Apple in training a larger number of law enforcement agencies and officers globally, and ensure that our company's information and guidance can be updated to reflect the rapidly changing data landscape," the site says. Apple also reiterated in the letter that it's "committed to protecting the security and privacy of our users" and that company initiatives and "the work we do to assist investigations uphold this fundamental commitment."
First answer of wrongness that comes to mind: Some compromised or even crooked cop could more conveniently collect all kinds of personal data. By compromised I'm actually thinking of some of Putin's American recruits and by crooked I'm thinking in political terms like ol' Sheriff Arpaio. You may have different candidates in mind, but no matter how different our viewpoints, I bet we agree that this portal has more potential as a weapon than as a tool.
Now let's watch the stupidium of Slashdot in action! Any weapons-grade isotopes out there? These days it's mostly just isotopes of snide.
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