Apple users’ security threatened by FBI orders

The terrorist attack in San Bernardino Dec. 2, 2015 was a horrible moment for all Americans; that is not up for debate. On the other hand, what was up for debate was the fact that Apple was refusing to unlock one of the shooter’s iPhones.

Apple was ordered by a California judge to create a backdoor program in the iPhone, allowing the FBI to gain access to the phone. Apple’s CEO said that this would be “too dangerous to create.”

This was too bold a move for the federal government; they were asking Apple to hack their own system, which would leave millions of American citizens defenseless against hackers and other cybercriminals. By making Apple bypass their own defenses, the government was saying to the American people, “your privacy doesn’t matter.” Since Apple said no, many other tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter have come out saying they would not create a backdoor anymore. These companies have an obligation to their customers to protect their privacy and the information that they give them.

Would this have helped the law-abiding citizens or would it hurt them? Would it have been worth it to do this one thing that could affect millions of people in America, not to mention the world? What happened in San Bernardino was a horrible, unforgivable crime, but the criminals have paid the ultimate price. Is it really worth it to risk the privacy of millions of Americans? The government can’t make that call; we are a democracy, and the choice should be made by the people, not by the government.