I completely disagree with the premise here. This is Tim Cook's fault and it should fall completely on Apple. I've been using Apple products my whole life, and I think security and privacy are great, but I don't believe for one second that Apple is the holy savior of our privacy. They fought the FBI because of marketing and profits, not out of a sense of duty to protect our privacy.
I also don't buy the rhetorical come-back about those who would trade liberty for security deserve neither. There is a line between the two, and each side must give and take. If the FBI found a way to do it without Apple, bravo. Let Apple figure it out if they want.
This is Apple's fault and they should not get a pass for spinning the PR in their favor.
You're certainly right about one thing: the people want privacy and will reward a company handsomely for delivering.
In theory government is supposed to also be responsive to the will of the people especially with regards to things like privacy from government searches so I guess it's up to the reader to decide for themselves which side they're on here.
Yeah, the "trade liberty for security" line is applied selectively, as far as I can tell. It tends to be trotted out frequently in discussions about data encryption.
I don't see that line used nearly so often against traffic laws, driver's license laws, state medical board doctor licensing laws, laws banning the sale of guns to minors, compulsory education laws, childhood vaccination laws, laws banning lead in gasoline, building codes requiring the use of twelve-gauge wire in certain circuits, laws requiring carbon monoxide detectors in our bedrooms and kitchens, etc.
The government is applying constraints to our lives and freedoms literally _all the time_ in the name of securing us against threats to life and health.
Most people accept those trade offs. But those same people actually _do_ deserve both liberty and security.
I also don't buy the rhetorical come-back about those who would trade liberty for security deserve neither. There is a line between the two, and each side must give and take. If the FBI found a way to do it without Apple, bravo. Let Apple figure it out if they want.
This is Apple's fault and they should not get a pass for spinning the PR in their favor.