The new and much more sophisticated encryption methods used by Apple’s latest operating system and the new Android version to be released soon make smartphones harder to monitor, preventing law enforcement officials to access the information needed to conduct investigation, according to US officials. US Attorney General Eric Holder, along with a series of other law enforcement officials, considers the new encryption methods used by developers to be means to block officials from accessing the information they need to investigate crime. Even law enforcement officers with a valid search warrant would not have access to the data stored in such devices.
Apple’s new iPhone 6 (and its operating system iOS 8) released last month, and Google’s upcoming new Android operating system feature encryption methods sophisticated enough for the user being the only one able to unlock them. This is possibly the result of the repeated scandals concerning various security agencies freely accessing private information stored on people’s devices, including portable ones. A serious encryption technology may be a great selling point, but it will make the law enforcement officers’ lives miserable.
US Attorney General Eric Holder considers that it is fully possible to permit law enforcement to do its job while still sufficiently protecting one’s privacy. Quick access to the data stored on a suspect’s phone can help law enforcement officials to find and protect victims, such as those targeted by kidnappers. FBI Director James Comey has similar views on this matter to the US Attorney General. He expressed his concern about this matter that companies are marketing something that would expressly allow people to place themselves beyond the reach of the law.
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Justice Department officials are asking the builders of these new operating systems for co-operation on this matter. The FBI has gone one step further – it had its agents have conversations with Apple and Google in order to better understand these technologies.