Compliance Management, Privacy

FBI director warns of Apple and Google device encryption implications

FBI director James B. Coney issued another firm warning to tech companies, specifically Apple and Google, that implementing default encryption on their new operating systems could hamper law enforcement in pursuit of crimes.

Coney said in a speech at the Brookings Institution that the two companies' steps to remove themselves from the data interception equation was leading Americans to a place that, “we shouldn't go to without careful thought and debate as a country.”

Taking a stance in particular against Apple's decision, Coney mentioned that although the company said law enforcement can access information through the cloud, not all users will opt into cloud backup, especially “bad guys.”

“It is people most worried about what's on the phone who will be most likely to avoid the cloud and to make sure that law enforcement cannot access incriminating data,” he said.

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