Why Apple Is Right to Challenge an Order to Help the F.B.I. - The New York Times

Also see Apple’s Line in the Sand Was Over a Year in the Making (NYT) and How Tim Cook Became a Bulwark for Digital Privacy (NYT)

"Some officials have proposed that phone and computer makers be required to maintain access or a “back door” to encrypted data on electronic devices. In October, the Obama administration said it would not seek such legislation, but the next president could have a different position.

Congress would do great harm by requiring such back doors. Criminals and domestic and foreign intelligence agencies could exploit such features to conduct mass surveillance and steal national and trade secrets. There’s a very good chance that such a law, intended to ease the job of law enforcement, would make private citizens, businesses and the government itself far less secure."

Why Apple Is Right to Challenge an Order to Help the F.B.I. - The New York Times