Why Is Security Worth The Sacrifice

Security is Worth the Sacrifice

If you had the option of potential death or the potential privacy loss, which would you choose? I would choose to live, which makes me elated that I am an American. In our democratic government, we have the opportunity to vote and share our opinion on issues. This helps our government to make decisions based “by the people for the people”. When specifically asked by the government, for its citizens, to unlock an iPhone that belongs to a terrorist, Apple should concede.

The United States Federal government only asked Apple on behalf of the protection for Americans from terrorism, not to invade privacy. When a third party discovered a solution to cracking the iPhone, the FBI jumped on the opportunity and strictly stayed within their restrictions. Justice Newman claims that, “the FBI is reviewing the contents of the phone

as ‘consistent with standard investigatory procedures,’” and a FBI director also stated that the entire purpose of the case was not to risk privacy of innocents, but to find ways to put away the terrorists and criminals (qtd. in... Johnson, Swartz, and Cava) . Apple claims that, “The government is asking (us) to hack our own users and undermine decades of security advancements that protect our customers — including tens of millions of American citizens — from sophisticated hackers and cybercriminals,” but in reality the FBI proved that they were solely focused on hacking one person’s phone, the terrorist Syed Rizwan Farook (Cook). Apple should have been more than willing to help the FBI protect Americans from terrorism, especially considering that Apple is an American-based company.
Apple, an American inspired company, has no right to disregard the American government. According to a statement by Justice Pierce,“The Constitution and the three branches of the federal government should be entrusted to strike the balance between each citizen’s right to privacy. The Constitution and the laws of the United States do not vest that power in a single corporation” (Benner and Lichtblau in Apple and Justice...). Apple should not be making decisions for the people. That is the job of the government. Apple even disregarded the President’s thoughts for their own (Benner and Lichtblau in Apple and Justice...). The Department of Justice recognizes that, “It is unfortunate that Apple continues to refuse to assist the department in obtaining access to the phone of one of the terrorists involved in a major terror attack on U.S. soil” (Benner and Lichtblau in Apple fights...). Anyone and anything within the United States has the obligation to help any way they can when a situation arises and Apple Inc. is not an exception.
The safety of Americans is more important than the “potential” risk of their privacy.

Apple argues that, “Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk. That is why encryption has become so important to all of us” (Cook). Many others argue with Apple that loss of privacy leads to loss of security. Although that may be true if the information is ending up in the wrong hands, the FBI is using this information to protect the well-being of American citizens. According to USA today the fear for lack of privacy, “is counterbalanced by the need for public security in an age when terrorists use encrypted smartphone communication to secretly plot devastating attacks such as the recent suicide missions in Brussels and Paris” (Johnson, Swartz, and Cava) . Encryption is a useful tool for those who know how to use it responsibly. On the contrary, necessary action is taken against those who misuse it. When encryption falls into the hands of terrorists, it is more important to retrieve the deadly information than to risk less dangerous data being deciphered as

well.
Privacy doesn’t matter if you are dead. To ask for privacy over life is to ask for a mechanical pencil for homework. Some would rather not write at all rather than to write with a regular pencil. The work would get done just fine, but we are so used to the privilege of a mechanical pencil, that we are lost without it. Many feel that way about privacy. Privacy is a privilege, not a necessity. But since we live in America, the choice is ultimately ours, represented by the government. The FBI requested Apple’s aid for on behalf of the nation and Apple declined. Apple has no authority to reject America’s wishes. Will companies that have an issue with our American government continue to challenge its authority? I pray that is not the case. As American citizens, we have the right to stand behind the government’s choices, as their choices ultimately come from us.