Quetta, The ongoing battle between law enforcement agencies and companies who champion the data scrambling technology took a new turn with U.S. Department of Justice attempting to compel Apple to build software that bypass non-encryption features of the iPhone in order to get at its currently encrypted contents. Internet Policy Observatory Pakistan supports Apple in this case and strongly opposes US government’s action.
“Almost every Government around the world have tactical tools such as stingray devices, wiretapping, geo-tracking, data-mining, and many others, which can strengthen law enforcement and counter-terrorism if properly pursued”, said Arzak Khan, Director Internet Policy Observatory Pakistan. “Creating back doors to hack in to secure devices will not only undermine consumer confidence in technology but most importantly empower cyber criminals and totalitarian regimes”.
“The US Government should look at the transnational nature of the internet and its policy making given that most US internet giants like Apple, Google and others operate globally have to comply with local laws in places where they operate. We should refrain from adopting a policy that would allow countries with poor human rights record to exploit it for silencing dissent” added, Arzak Khan.
We need to collectively balance our global Web to ensure the Internet remains a platform for free speech and uncensored information, where privacy and real human connection enable strong social discourse and economic prosperity.