Tim Cook writes memo to employees reiterating Apple’s stance on FBI request

Tim Cook on stage

After issuing an open letter to Apple users regarding the FBI’s request to create an iPhone backdoor to help hack into the San Bernardino shooter’s locked iPhone 5c, CEO Tim Cook on Monday reinforcedĀ his company’sĀ position in an internal memo to troops.

According to the all-hands memo, a copy of which was obtained by John Paczkowski of Buzz Feed, Apple wants the Justice Department to withdraw a court order that would force it to create a special version of iOS with decreased security measures.

Apple, the memo goes, has already done everything within its power and the law to help in the case. Cook also made note of an outpouring of public support Apple has received from ā€œthousands of people in all 50 statesā€ regarding the matter.

Here’s the memo in its entirety:

Team,

Last week we asked our customers and people across the United States to join a public dialogue about important issues facing our country. In the week since that letter, Iā€™ve been grateful for the thought and discussion weā€™ve heard and read, as well as the outpouring of support weā€™ve received from across America.

As individuals and as a company, we have no tolerance or sympathy for terrorists. When they commit unspeakable acts like the tragic attacks in San Bernardino, we work to help the authorities pursue justice for the victims. And thatā€™s exactly what we did.

This case is about much more than a single phone or a single investigation, so when we received the governmentā€™s order we knew we had to speak out. At stake is the data security of hundreds of millions of law-abiding people, and setting a dangerous precedent that threatens everyoneā€™s civil liberties.

As you know, we use encryption to protect our customers ā€” whose data is under siege. We work hard to improve security with every software release because the threats are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated all the time.

Some advocates of the governmentā€™s order want us to roll back data protections to iOS 7, which we released in September 2013. Starting with iOS 8, we began encrypting data in a way that not even the iPhone itself can read without the userā€™s passcode, so if it is lost or stolen, our personal data, conversations, financial and health information are far more secure. We all know that turning back the clock on that progress would be a terrible idea.

Our fellow citizens know it, too. Over the past week Iā€™ve received messages from thousands of people in all 50 states, and the overwhelming majority are writing to voice their strong support. One email was from a 13-year-old app developer who thanked us for standing up for ā€œall future generations.ā€ And a 30-year Army veteran told me, ā€œLike my freedom, I will always consider my privacy as a treasure.ā€

Iā€™ve also heard from many of you and I am especially grateful for your support.

Many people still have questions about the case and we want to make sure they understand the facts. So today we are posting answers onĀ apple.com/customer-letter/answers/Ā to provide more information on this issue. I encourage you to read them.

Apple is a uniquely American company. It does not feel right to be on the opposite side of the government in a case centering on the freedoms and liberties that government is meant to protect.

Our country has always been strongest when we come together. We feel the best way forward would be for the government to withdraw its demands under the All Writs Act and, as some in Congress have proposed, form a commission or other panel of experts on intelligence, technology and civil liberties to discuss the implications for law enforcement, national security, privacy and personal freedoms. Apple would gladly participate in such an effort.

People trust Apple to keep their data safe, and that data is an increasingly important part of everyoneā€™s lives. You do an incredible job protecting them with the features we design into our products. Thank you.

Tim

FBI Director James Comey wrote in a blog post thatĀ the FBI does not want to undermineĀ everyone’s security, insisting that the San Bernardino litigation is ā€œabout the victims and justiceā€ and ā€œisn’t about trying to set a precedent or send any kind of message.ā€

Read our recap of last week’s events in the FBI vs. Apple case.

Source: Buzz Feed