Obama backs down on phone encryption

folarin okunola

October 12, 2015 4:44 PM

Encryptions introduced on iPhones and some Android devices sparked a heated debate between law enforcement and tech companies over access to phone data.

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 45th Annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington September 19, 2015. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

In a landmark victory for tech firms, the Obama administration will not force tech companies to breach the security of their products as a means of providing information to law enforcement.

This comes a year after encryptions introduced on iPhones and some Android devices sparked a heated debate between law enforcement and tech companies over access to phone data.

In Apple’s iOS 8, most data stored on the phone and communications over services like iMessage were encrypted in a way that they were only accessible to the user – not even Apple had access.

James Comey, FBI Director, then sounded an alarm saying that phone encryption would stop law enforcement from accessing crucial information, warning that ‘going dark’ could derail entire investigations.

However, tech experts argued that creating a so-called ‘back door’ for law enforcement would create a security flaw that could be easily exploited by hackers.

READ: President Obama launches Internet access program for low-income households

Comey indicated that the Obama administration was backing down in a Congressional hearing on the matter when he said the White House would not seek legislation to require companies to install the so-called ‘back doors’ for law enforcement officials to access encrypted data.

The New York Times reports that tech firms do not think that the Obama administration is doing enough. The report reveals that they are calling for the White House to release a clear statement it can utilize in China and Europe, where governments are threatening to ban encrypted devices or require companies to bud in back door access.

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