Re:A Message to Our Customers
by mikestew on Wednesday February 17, 2016 @04:31PM
(#11121586)
* I guess I figured if they simply can't do it why not say "it's impossible by design," rather than argue the principle?*
Because the larger principle is what's really at play here. Whether Apple can do what the FBI asks, or not, is irrelevant. What is relevant is that what the FBI asks is bad. Even if Apple can unlock this phone because of shortcomings of the 5C (versus later model), it sets a bad precedent for later, especially if Apple truly cannot unlock the 6s and beyond ("you could do it on the 5, why not an iPhone 7?").
I'm no lawyer, but I'm of the opinion that this is a legal crowbar for later cases, and the Feds are using a tragic incident to drum up support ("you don't support terrorists, do you?")
Because the larger principle is what's really at play here. Whether Apple can do what the FBI asks, or not, is irrelevant. What is relevant is that what the FBI asks is bad. Even if Apple can unlock this phone because of shortcomings of the 5C (versus later model), it sets a bad precedent for later, especially if Apple truly cannot unlock the 6s and beyond ("you could do it on the 5, why not an iPhone 7?").
I'm no lawyer, but I'm of the opinion that this is a legal crowbar for later cases, and the Feds are using a tragic incident to drum up support ("you don't support terrorists, do you?")