FBI encrypted phones - FBI Chief James Comey claims privacy has gone a bit too far when it comes to encrypted phones. The head of FBI spoke on Thursday at Washington about phone encryption data that has "swung too far" making it nearly impossible to identify victims of child exploitation and homicide cases.
Issues on FBI encrypted phones had all begun due to Edward Snowden's exposé on government surveillance. Thus, Apple and Google had released their phones that carried an operating system with a tough encryption that even the tech giants themselves could not break into.
"Perhaps it's time to suggest that the post-Snowden pendulum has swung too far in one direction -- in a direction of fear and mistrust. Justice may be denied because of a locked phone or an encrypted hard drive," stated James Comey.
Comey had taken over the bureau 13 months ago and his dialogue on FBI encrypted phones was his first major speech that took place at Brookings Institution.
"We aren't seeking a back-door approach. We want to use the front door, with clarity and transparency, and with clear guidance provided by law. We are completely comfortable with court orders and legal process -- front doors that provide the evidence and information we need to investigate crime and prevent terrorist attacks," added Comey.
While Comey wants the FBI encrypted phones to be unencrypted, a principal technologist of the American Civil Liberties Union disagreed with the FBI chief.
"Whether the FBI director calls it a front door or back door, weakening the security of systems to enable law enforcement access also makes them far more vulnerable to compromise by foreign governments and hackers. If anything, we should be doing more to secure our data," stated Christopher Soghoian.
Apple and Google have yet to comment on Comey's speech regarding FBI encrypted phones. Should a "regulatory or legislative fix" be issued on with regards to FBI encrypted phones?
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