Tim Cook's letter to customers about the FBI request to assist in unlocking an iPhone

Tim Cook's letter to customers about the FBI request to assist in unlocking an iPhone

Some would argue that building a backdoor for just one iPhone is a simple, clean-cut solution. But it ignores both the basics of digital security and the significance of what the government is demanding in this case … In the physical world, it would be the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks — from restaurants and banks to stores and homes.

It’s worse than that. If someone steals a physical key, at least you know it’s missing and can go round and change the locks.

But a digital master key can be infinitely copied, instantaneously distributed across the world and you would never ever know.