Apple announces opposition to cybersecurity bill ahead of Senate vote
Apple, one of the staunchest opponents of U.S. government efforts to conduct digital surveillance on its public, on Tuesday publicly denounced the efficacy of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, or CISA, just days before the bill goes up for vote in the Senate.
In a statement provided to The Washington Post, Apple reiterated concerns that initiatives like CISA undermine basic public privacy rights.
"We don't support the current CISA proposal," Apple said. "The trust of our customers means everything to us and we don't believe security should come at the expense of their privacy."
Apple's efforts mirror those of other tech giants like Google, Facebook and Yahoo, which spoke out against CISA through a trade group called the Computer and Communications Industry Association, as well as individual firms Yelp, reddit, Twitter and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Apple and its CEO Tim Cook have on multiple occasions challenged government snooping operations, saying strong encryption policies without exceptions for law enforcement are the only way to ensure a totally secure environment. The company introduced such encryption practices in iOS 8 and continues to implement safeguards in iOS 9. Apple today informed a federal court that it is incapable of extracting data from locked devices running iOS 8 and iOS 9.
Earlier this month, Cook discussed data privacy at length on NPR's "All Things Considered," saying that strong encryption is a key tenet for Apple.
Proponents of CISA, like co-sponsor Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), claim the legislation is not an attempt to surveil Americans, but is instead meant to help companies share information pertinent to cyber threats. Personal user data does not figure into the equation, Feinstein said.
But CISA has its fair share of opponents in Washington, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) who characterized the bill as dealing more with surveillance than security.
"Sharing information about cybersecurity threats is a worthy goal," said Wyden. "Yet if you share more information without strong privacy protections, millions of Americans will say, 'That is not a cybersecurity bill. It is a surveillance bill.'"
According to the report, CISA supporters estimate the initiative has enough steam to win approval with about 70 votes in the Senate. The bill will go to vote next Tuesday.
In a statement provided to The Washington Post, Apple reiterated concerns that initiatives like CISA undermine basic public privacy rights.
"We don't support the current CISA proposal," Apple said. "The trust of our customers means everything to us and we don't believe security should come at the expense of their privacy."
Apple's efforts mirror those of other tech giants like Google, Facebook and Yahoo, which spoke out against CISA through a trade group called the Computer and Communications Industry Association, as well as individual firms Yelp, reddit, Twitter and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Apple and its CEO Tim Cook have on multiple occasions challenged government snooping operations, saying strong encryption policies without exceptions for law enforcement are the only way to ensure a totally secure environment. The company introduced such encryption practices in iOS 8 and continues to implement safeguards in iOS 9. Apple today informed a federal court that it is incapable of extracting data from locked devices running iOS 8 and iOS 9.
Earlier this month, Cook discussed data privacy at length on NPR's "All Things Considered," saying that strong encryption is a key tenet for Apple.
Proponents of CISA, like co-sponsor Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), claim the legislation is not an attempt to surveil Americans, but is instead meant to help companies share information pertinent to cyber threats. Personal user data does not figure into the equation, Feinstein said.
But CISA has its fair share of opponents in Washington, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) who characterized the bill as dealing more with surveillance than security.
"Sharing information about cybersecurity threats is a worthy goal," said Wyden. "Yet if you share more information without strong privacy protections, millions of Americans will say, 'That is not a cybersecurity bill. It is a surveillance bill.'"
According to the report, CISA supporters estimate the initiative has enough steam to win approval with about 70 votes in the Senate. The bill will go to vote next Tuesday.
Comments
Good!
BAD!!!!
https://randpaul.com/issue/ending-nsa-spying
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Get bent, totalitarian.
...
That’s... no, that’s not a personal attack.
Only if he was more like his father. He’s trending neocon these days.
This vote just shows how underinformed everyone in Washington DC is. All they see is the ability to locate that elusive terrorist instead of looking in the mirror to see the biggest terrorist of them all, the US basement government terrorist organizations. Over the last many years our own government has been the reason why terrorist organizations have grown around the world. If we would just try and get along with others instead of trying to dictate to everyone how things should be, we might be able to have a bit more peace than we have now and other countries might simply leave us alone. Of course, this will never work because of all the multi-national companies who depend on raping every country of their natural resources so they can make more money. The citizens of the US aren't the problem, it continues to be our government and this bill proves it. Our government could care less about it's "people", you know the ones in our constitution, and only about big business and their desire to rule the world. This kind of bill just makes me sick.
Rand Paul 2016.
Word.
https://randpaul.com/issue/ending-nsa-spying
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Really? I mean...really?
What's up with Rand (and Ron before him) Paul supporters shoving him down people's throats randomly, everywhere? It's awkward. Sorry, he doesn't have a shred of a chance at the whitehouse, so do yourself a favor and invest your time in something more worthwhile.
These bills are coming from the same republican congress that will do anything for our right to own guns and carry them. Why would you remove that protection from everyone and make everyone weak in the process? Especially considering China's rise in global cyber warfare?
You should have a right to defend your hardware, software and data with encryption and protect your home, family and person with weapons. Period.
Rand Paul 2016.
Word.
https://randpaul.com/issue/ending-nsa-spying
If topics like this matter to you, volunteer and/or donate today.
Even though I might agree with him on an issue or two, he has no shot. I'm all in for Trump.
This phrase brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.
These bills are coming from the same republican congress that will do anything for our right to own guns and carry them. Why would you remove that protection from everyone and make everyone weak in the process? Especially considering China's rise in global cyber warfare?
How does owning and carrying a gun protect you against cyber warfare?
actually, I think such short answers are misleading and both parties may have the same opinion.
E.g. After reading the title I thought: good apple is not giving up. After reading the entire article my reaction was more: bad, it sucks that this bill has a lot of chances to pass.
I'd like to see some data that backs up the need to spy on everyone.
Or how about some data on how many terrorists the TSA has caught by making us all take off our shoes and walk through body scanners.
If these government clowns had their way, they would put checkpoints every few miles where you need to show your papers.
If we outlaw encryption, the only ones who will have it are the criminals.
If we outlaw encryption, the only ones who will have it are the criminals.
"Apple announces opposition to cyberINsecurity bill..."
There...fixed it...
Apple, one of the staunchest opponents of U.S. government efforts to conduct digital surveillance on its public, on Tuesday publicly denounced the efficacy of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, or CISA, just days before the bill goes up for vote in the Senate.
This is good to hear. I am sure the politicians shredding the Constitution will stop what they are doing now.
-Keith
Get bent, totalitarian.
...
That’s... no, that’s not a personal attack.
Only if he was more like his father. He’s trending neocon these days.
Love the reply. Amen.
Ron Paul. Great man. Spoke too much common sense. He was never going to get elected. Though he should have.
Shabbily treated by the US media...
Lemon Bon Bon.