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All Tech Considered

A Year After San Bernardino And Apple-FBI, Where Are We On Encryption?

December 3, 2016 • The shooting a year ago started a heated debate about government access to secured devices. As such access keeps getting more restricted, calls for "back doors" continue and questions remain.

Yahoo's Security Chief On Encryption Debate: What Is The Greater Good?

Yahoo Chief Information Security Officer Bob Lord on encryption: "Yes, it's used by terrorists. It's also used by people who are looking to voice their opinions on issues and to save lives." Yahoo hide caption

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Yahoo

All Tech Considered

Yahoo's Security Chief On Encryption Debate: What Is The Greater Good?

April 28, 2016 • When Bob Lord talks about encryption, he invokes the imagery of a whisper — the idea that you should be able to re-create the most private means of physical communication in the digital world as well.

FBI Explains Why It Won't Disclose How It Unlocked iPhone

FBI Director James Comey testifies March 1 before the House Judiciary Committee on the encryption of the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino attackers. Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

FBI Explains Why It Won't Disclose How It Unlocked iPhone

April 27, 2016 • The agency says it doesn't have the rights to the technical details of the unlocking method, and so it can't submit it to a special review that would have determined whether Apple should be informed.

Google Exec: Encryption Debate Lacks Evidence, On Both Sides

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All Tech Considered

Google Exec: Encryption Debate Lacks Evidence, On Both Sides

April 20, 2016 • Google's chief of Android security says it's time for both sides of the encryption debate to provide real information, not just anecdotes.

Lawful Hacking: Should, Or Can, The FBI Learn To Overcome Encryption Itself?

FBI Executive Assistant Director for Science and Technology Amy Hess (from left) testifies on encryption Tuesday before a House panel, alongside the New York City Police Department's Thomas Galati and Indiana State Police Office Capt. Charles Cohen. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

All Tech Considered

Lawful Hacking: Should, Or Can, The FBI Learn To Overcome Encryption Itself?

April 19, 2016 • A major theme in the latest congressional hearing on encryption was whether the FBI, rather than asking tech companies for cooperation, has focused enough resources to keep up with technology itself.

The Next Apple-FBI Question: Who Can Know How The iPhone Was Hacked?

The official FBI seal is seen on an iPhone camera screen outside the agency's headquarters. With help from a third party, the FBI managed to unlock the iPhone used by one of San Bernardino shooters. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

The Next Apple-FBI Question: Who Can Know How The iPhone Was Hacked?

April 19, 2016 • A third party helped the FBI unlock a phone linked to one of the San Bernardino shooters. Should Apple know how they managed to hack the phone or can the third party sell that information?

The Next Apple-FBI Question: Who Can Know How The iPhone Was Hacked?

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Apple-FBI: The Theories And Mysteries Of The San Bernardino iPhone

FBI Director James Comey says the third-party technique used to unlock the San Bernardino iPhone "works on a narrow slice of phones." Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/AP

All Tech Considered

Apple-FBI: The Theories And Mysteries Of The San Bernardino iPhone

April 16, 2016 • It's looking increasingly unlikely that the FBI will tell Apple how it got inside the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone. Speculation continues to surround the technique and its results.

The Next Encryption Battleground: Congress

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Chairman Richard Burr, R-N.C., have introduced encryption legislation. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

All Tech Considered

The Next Encryption Battleground: Congress

April 14, 2016 • The top Republican and top Democrat on the Senate intelligence panel are floating a bill that would mandate cooperation in encryption cases, but critics say it creates a dangerous "back door."

The Next Encryption Battleground: Congress

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Apple-Justice Department Standoff Over iPhone Access Goes On, In New York

New York police officers monitor a pro-encryption demonstration at an Apple store in February. Julie Jacobson/AP hide caption

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Julie Jacobson/AP

The Two-Way

Apple-Justice Department Standoff Over iPhone Access Goes On, In New York

April 8, 2016 • The Department of Justice says it will keep pressing for Apple's help unlocking a different iPhone seized in a drug investigation in New York.

Apple Vs. The FBI: The Unanswered Questions And Unsettled Issues

A protester supporting Apple in its battle against the FBI holds up an iPhone that reads "No Entry" outside an Apple store in New York on Feb. 23. Bryan Thomas/Getty Images hide caption

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All Tech Considered

Apple Vs. The FBI: The Unanswered Questions And Unsettled Issues

March 29, 2016 • The FBI isn't saying if it can reuse its mystery digital crowbar to unlock other iPhones. The standoff is likely to be replayed as new technologies become a growing element of criminal investigations.

Apple Vs. The FBI: The Unanswered Questions And Unsettled Issues

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How A Gambling Case Does, And Doesn't, Apply To The iPhone Debate

The 227-year-old law at the center of the Apple-FBI debate has withstood several challenges, including at the Supreme Court. Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images hide caption

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Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

How A Gambling Case Does, And Doesn't, Apply To The iPhone Debate

March 21, 2016 • How the Apple-FBI case progresses will determine whether a new precedent will be set for the 227-year-old law that has been called antiquated, but withstood a Supreme Court challenge.

How A Gambling Case Does, And Doesn't, Apply To The iPhone Debate

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Apple On FBI iPhone Request: 'The Founders Would Be Appalled'

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The Two-Way

Apple On FBI iPhone Request: 'The Founders Would Be Appalled'

March 15, 2016 • Apple and the FBI head into a court hearing on March 22 in the dispute over access to a locked iPhone. In its last filing before then, Apple says the government is stretching laws to fit the case.

U.S. Attorneys Respond To Apple In Court, Call Privacy Concerns 'A Diversion'

The FBI wants to access data on a password-protected phone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S. Attorneys Respond To Apple In Court, Call Privacy Concerns 'A Diversion'

March 10, 2016 • The government says Apple has cited broad generalities in its refusal to help the FBI circumvent an iPhone's security features — and argues that the FBI's request is, in contrast, modest and specific.

The Good Guys' Case For Cellphone Security And Encryption

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All Tech Considered

The Good Guys' Case For Cellphone Security And Encryption

February 17, 2016 • So you think personal privacy is important, but you have a serious case of technophobia? Here are some easy ways to keep your digital life away from prying eyes.

Apple, The FBI And iPhone Encryption: A Look At What's At Stake

Apple CEO Tim Cook appears Sept. 9, 2015, in San Francisco to unveil the latest iterations of the company's smartphone. Stephen Lam/Getty Images hide caption

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Stephen Lam/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Apple, The FBI And iPhone Encryption: A Look At What's At Stake

February 17, 2016 • The Justice Department wants Apple to help investigators get around iPhone security features so that the FBI can access data belonging to one of the San Bernardino killers. Apple is firmly opposed.

FBI Director Says Agents Need Access To Encrypted Data To Preserve Public Safety

FBI Director James Comey testifies that Congress should require digital encryption programs to allow access by law enforcement. The issue pits privacy against public safety. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

The Two-Way

FBI Director Says Agents Need Access To Encrypted Data To Preserve Public Safety

July 8, 2015 • James Comey testified about cases in which unencrypted data made the difference in convicting dangerous criminals. Opponents say any encryption programs that let governments in also let hackers in.