Poll: Should Smartphone Makers Unlock Devices For Law Enforcement?

Apple’s refusal to consider unlocking an iPhone 5C belonging to Syed Rizwan Farook for the FBI investigating the mass shooting in San Bernadino, California has resulted in the issue of smartphone encryption being pushed to the top of the tech agenda once again.

The FBI says it is an issue of national security and that this instance is a one-off. But Apple says merely creating code that could unlock the device – if it is possible – would break the trust of its customers and its very existence means other agencies could ask it to unlock more devices.

Apple encryption battle

A court document shows Apple has rejected a number of other such requests in recent times, indicating that more could be on the way if it agrees to the FBI’s demands.

The company has the support of other major tech firms like Facebook, Google and Twitter, but public opinion is split. However, the FBI says Apple’s stance is a marketing ploy.

But what do you think? Should smartphone makers do everything in their power to help authorities? Should they introduce backdoors? Let us know in our poll below and if you have any other opinions, let us know in the comment section.

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