This is a strange new world where we face issues never considered in our history. I have had the good fortune to spend the last 5 years studying how technology impacts our culture, families, education and entertainment. However, I doubt our founding fathers ever anticipated how smartphone technology would place the power of a nation-state into the hands of a few.
Although Tim Cook is a marketing and distribution genius — I think he fails to grasp what unfettered encryption will ultimately provide to ne’er-do-wells. I understand the constitutional arguments — but I also understand the inevitable consequences that will occur if this issue is not tackled.
If your son or daughter are using KIK, they’re already using the technology. If you’re using an iPhone — you may as well.
What does this all mean?
To avoid anarchy, we all need laws to help govern and protect our citizens. Few would argue that cars can be used as weapons. Sadly, this fact darkened the holidays for many families in Las Vegas this week.
However, generally there are laws that minimize erratic driving. In fact, most street corners in major cities are monitored to avoid such activity.
Similarly, Fiber Optics, digital packets and wireless spectrum can anonymously be used as a weapon — across oceans and continents.
However, there are methods to analyze such packets without sacrificing our freedom and privacy. But without the ability to see into an encrypted network or device, that won’t happen.
We all want video cameras at malls, parking lots and dark street corners — but yet we want the roadways of our networks cloaked in darkness.
When I think of my wife, children and grandchildren in a world where cretins can hide behind encryption… I tend to want some light shed on our technology as well. Networks are little more that 21st century roadways.
That point seems to be lost by Mr. Tim Cook
This is not 1984.
