FBI Says Not Having Access To Encrypted Data Is A Huge Problem

By now many of you guys are probably aware that the FBI is trying to gain access to our devices legally. The agency’s argument is that there could be evidence and information on the phones belonging to suspects that could prove vital to solving crimes and preventing incidents, but because suspects are not obligated to unlock their devices, there’s no way of knowing.

The FBI has tried to get tech companies like Apple to unlock devices for them or create backdoors, which Apple has refused, and according to FBI director Christopher Wray, he claims that not having access to such data is a huge, huge problem and impacts the investigation of various crimes.

According to Wray, “To put it mildly, this is a huge, huge problem. It impacts investigations across the board — narcotics, human trafficking, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, gangs, organized crime, child exploitation.” He also revealed that the agency has had trouble access data on close to 7,000 devices in the last 11 months.

Wray adds that he believes that there needs to be some kind of balance between public safety and encryption, but whether or not tech companies or the public feels the same way is a different story. “I get it, there’s a balance that needs to be struck between encryption and the importance of giving us the tools we need to keep the public safe. The threats that we face keep accumulating, they are complex, they are varied.”

Tyler Lee
Categories: General
Tags: fbi, Legal, Privacy, Security