After writing a letter to one of Indiana’s Senators on the topic of encryption and privacy in addition to my previous blog post on the topic for one of our course readings, I’m even more convinced that this hot button issue is vitally important to the future of our country and the world at large. As I wrote in our letter to the Senator, our phones and electronic devices are quickly becoming the hubs of our digital lives, storing personal photos, banking information, and other private data. The government nor anyone else should be able to interfere with the protection of personal data, due to the massive threat lessened data security poses to millions of innocent people. While the average person may have nothing to hide from the government, they do have everything to hide from the criminals who would take advantage of government sanctioned weaknesses in digital security. Unfortunately, letting in the government also means letting in ill-intentioned individuals of all sorts. The two go hand in hand. And worse yet, the conscription of Apple Engineers to work for the government by forcing them to write code they object to directly contradicts the American ideals of free enterprise.
Politicians from both sides of the aisle have voiced varying opinions on this divisive nature. While other topics may dominate Presidential candidate debates and the public consciousness, we’d be wise to heed the coming storm over personal data. As a computer science student myself, I care just as strongly about this topic as others more prevalently discussed by politicians. It certainly affects the way I perceive politicians and who I support.
Apple has justifiably stood strong in the face of F.B.I. pressure, and the issue seems bound for a variety of courts, including the Supreme Court – if not today, then tomorrow. As of right now, I’m really unsure who will win if/when it comes to that. A variety of high profile politicians and government agencies support the F.B.I. and its demands, while Apple has managed the rare unification of technology companies throughout Silicon Valley and beyond behind its own cause. I’m certainly not resigned to a 1984-esque, dystopian future of government surveillance and no private information. I don’t think millions of Americans will be either. The United States has time and time again refused to let fear dictate policy, especially in regards to personal liberties and rights. We must refuse once more.
ethicsryanmoran 