case analysis

Building a “Backdoor” to the iPhone

Problem identify

Tim Cook was confronted by the FBI on various occasion asking Apple to invade the primary of their customer as a matter of nation security. This situation was created when Syed Rizwan Farook, age 28 and his wife Tahseen Malik, age 29, killed 14 employees at the Inland Regional Centre in San Bernardino, California on December 2, 2015. Another 22 persons were injured. The government demanded Apple to develop a major backdoor software in the iPhone product which will help them to bypass a terrorist's security protocol in the iPhones and will provide them access to their data. They believed that the phone contained relevant information to the case which would give insight into terrorist operations and which would potentially help prevent future attacks and improve national security. On the other hand, Tim Cook has always been a strong advocate when it comes to customer privacy. Apple’s relationship with its customers was largely based on the fact the customers were promised privacy which was established based in trust from one party (the customers) to another (Apple).

Problem statemtent

This dilemma puts Cook in a position where he has to make a choice between helping the FBI to improve national security and potential save lives by turning on Apple's customers and misusing their trust or, to remain faithful to customers by not cooperating with the FBI.

ALTERNATIVES

1. One alternative to this dilemma is to deny the FBI’s request for access to the information in the iPhone. Apple’s business model is based on selling products, not the attempt to invade customer privacy.

· Pros: Denying the request from the FBI is ensuring Apple customer’s trust in keeping their information private. It will ease customer’s mind knowing that Apple doesn’t allow anyone any sort of access despite their superior role.

· Cons: The prevention of future attacks may not be prevented. Without the information, terrorist operations may not be caught before occurrence.

2. Another alternative is to try and access any information without invading customer privacy. It is understood that the customer in this case committed a terroristic crime, however, Cook made it clear that they stand with their customers and don’t monetize the information on their iPhone.

· Pros: Accessing data and information legally is ethical as well as helpful in the investigation. Customer loyalty is not sacrificed, and the FBI is able to gain information.

· Cons: The information legally accessed may not be helpful and may not further the investigation. Also, the government was not going to reimburse Apple for any financial losses incurred as a result of backdoor.

RECOMMENDATION

Denying the request of the backdoor is the ethical alternative in this case. Creating a backdoor violates all the security protocols and policies Apple has continuously addressed throughout the years. Also, if Apple creates a backdoor just for FBI, and somehow if it falls into the wrong hands, like hackers, everybody’s data and privacy is in jeopardy. This would cause a huge mistrust to the loyal customers, destroying the company’s reputation Steve Jobs worked very hard to develop.