Congress Warns FBI to Leave Peoples' Cell Phones Alone
Oct 22, 2014, 7:27 AM by Eric M. Zeman
Members of Congress have responded to comments made by FBI Director James Comey regarding security measurers Apple and Google have added to their respective mobile operating systems. Both iOS 8 and Android 5.0 use encryption by default to protect user data from spying. The FBI doesn't like this. Comey last week asked Congress to pass legislation that would force smartphone makers to provide a back door into smartphones for law enforcement purposes. Congress has spoken up. "I think the public would not support it, certainly industry would not support it, civil liberties groups would not support it," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren in a statement provided to The Hill. "I think [Comey is] a sincere guy, but there's just no way this is going to happen." Senator Ron Wyden offered similar thoughts. "I'd be surprised if more than a handful of members would support the idea of backdooring Americans' personal property." Representative Darrell Issa added, "To FBI Director Comey and the [administration] on criticisms of legitimate businesses using encryption: you reap what you sow." Congress believes the American public is inherently distrustful of law enforcement's data collection techniques after the revelations made by Edward Snowden. FBI Director Comey wants Congress to update 1994 legislation called the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, which required phone companies to make it easy for law enforcement to tap calls. The Electronic Frontier Foundation points out, however, that CALEA already protects encryption measures put into place by companies. The law states companies "shall not be responsible for decrypting, or ensuring the government's ability to decrypt, any communication encrypted by a subscriber or customer." The Hill suggests the FBI isn't going to simply drop the matter and will continue its push for broader access to smartphones.
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Comments
Mixed Feelings
The feds can only do wha...
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gloopey1 said:
I'm fearful that we are moving closer and closer to a state-controlled regime that watches everything we do and uses that info against us at will.
YOU SHOULD BE
Money and equipment that was ...
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I don't see what the big deal is.
And plus its not like they just go through everybody's phone. Only people who are suspected of doing something bad. And the FBI has to get a warrant from an impartial judge.
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1. Customs and Border Protection can go through your phone, computer, or any other device any time you cross the border, or they can seize them outright. No warrant needed. They also assert the right to stop you and do th...
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I know who the head of the FBI reports to
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Keep this in mind on November 4th
I don't want to get into a whole political discussion/argument so I'm not going to tell you who to vote for, but it is pretty clear which side is for more government regulation and which side is for less.
