Apple's Strong Moral Duty to User Privacy
Apple has demonstrated a stronger moral duty to its users. The organization has worked hard to ensure that its clients' privacy is highly secured. This became clear in December 2015, when the FBI obtained an iPhone belonging to one of the terrorists who killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California. The FBI attempted to access the data saved on the iPhone but was unable to do so due to the encrypted software. The attempt to seek Apple for assistance in unlocking the smartphone was useless. Even when the FBI obtained a court order ordering Apple to assist the FBI in unlocking the device, the corporation appealed the court's ruling (James 1). This was because the company was protecting the privacy of its users showing grater moral obligation.
Support from Technology Companies
Different technology companies supported Apple after making several fronts of the court order as it argued that the order was threatening its privacy for customers. According to Apple, the order required the company to write code. This is regarded as a breach of its initial amendment on the right to free speech to its users. In the past, court cases had already established codes of the computer as speech are legally protected. Accepting to unlock the device would contradict the marketing statement of the company that assured customers of their safety(James 1). Apple also argued that once they accept to create the bypass, it can be acquired by wrong hands which can threaten the privacy of its customers. Also, Apple stated that consent of what FBI required could have precedent in the wrong direction as the company would always be compelled in unlocking their devices in future thus affecting the privacy of users (Grossman 1).
Concerns about Security Features and User Safety
Apple states that the tool that the FBI wanted it to create would undermine its security features which it has placed on its software and the infrastructure security which it has built to ensure that it delivers secure and safe software for its customers. The management argued that if the security model of the iPhone could be broken, the company could not guarantee that update of iOS over the air are not compromised. This indicates that creation of a bypass would affect the whole system of Apple affecting it trust by users(Zakrzewski1). Apple also was concerned with the creation of the software as it would make the products of the company a target for criminals. The company refused to create the software as itanalyzed the situation and found out that iPhone has millions of users spread across the globe and had valuable data on them. Creation of the software would expose the users' data to terrorists, criminals and hackers which would risk the safety, security, and privacy of its customers who have trusted the brand by storing their data in iPhone. If allowed, Apple feared that the threat could go beyond their reach which would compromise the safety and privacy of their customers which could destroy their reputation in the market (Grossman 1).
Apple's Moral Obligation to Users
The refusal by Apple to develop software for FBI that would help in mining data from an iPhone acquired from terrorists who had caused death is clear evidence that the company is morally obligated to its users than the general public. Apple did not want to consider that the FBI was working on searching for terrorists but were concerned on the safety and security of their users (Zakrzewski 1).
Conclusion
In conclusion, considering the argument of Apple, it is a clear indication that the company is more concerned on its users. The management is working on ensuring that the data and privacy of its users is protected without any concentrating on the concern of general public.
Works Cited
Grossman, Lev."Inside Apple CEO Tim Cook's Fight with the FBI." Time. Web. October 12,
2015.Accessed November,2, 2017.
James, Queally. “San Bernardino Families Ask a Judge to Force Apple to Unlock a Terrorist’s iPhone,” Los Angeles Times. Web. March 4, 2016. Accessed November, 2, 2017
Zakrzewski, Cat. "Encrypted Smartphones Challenge Investigators." The Wall Street
Journal. Web. October 12, 2015.
Accessed November, 2, 2017
