--- title: "The FBI Says Apple’s New Encryption Is “Deeply Concerning”" description: "Wall to Wall Apple is planning on broadening its end-to-end data encryption services, closing a privacy loophole that previously allowed for law enforcement to — as long as they had a warrant — access the currently-unencrypted data stored in user iCloud accounts. But while proponents of the change are applauding the change as a win for […]" date: "2022-12-11" modified: "2022-12-11" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/fbi-apple-new-encryption-deeply-concerning" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "apple" - "cyber security" - "encrypted data" - "the digest" --- # The FBI Says Apple’s New Encryption Is “Deeply Concerning” ![fbi-apple-new-encryption-deeply-concerning]() *\Image: Scott Olson via Getty / Futurism\* ## Wall to Wall Apple is planning on broadening its end-to-end data encryption services, closing a privacy loophole that previously allowed law enforcement to access a wide-reaching swath of data, including photos and messages, stored in user iCloud accounts. But while proponents of the change are applauding the change as a win for user privacy, its detractors — which include a little organization known as the FBI — are none too thrilled. The bureau is "deeply concerned" with the perceived "threat end-to-end and user-only-access encryption pose," as they wrote in an [email to *The Washington Post*](), basically arguing that the tech makes their jobs a lot harder. "This hinders our ability to protect the American people from criminal acts ranging from cyber-attacks and violence against children to drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism," the statement continued, according to *WaPo*. "In this age of cybersecurity and demands for 'security by design,' the FBI and law enforcement partners need 'lawful access by design.'" ## Trade-Offs In short, the FBI's argument rests on the notion that, just like they can search someone's physical stuff, they should be able — within reason — to search their digital stuff, too. That being said, while the FBI's concerns make sense, end-to-end encryption isn't just an Apple plot to piss the agency off, nor is it intended to make doing crimes any easier. User privacy is important, and a lot of folks have spent the better part of a decade giving away a *lot* of data, often without much agency or understanding. Data breaches and hacking incidents, meanwhile, are common. The new end-to-end encryption — which, *[The New York Times ]()*[points out]() points out, won't be expanded to include Apples' email, calendar, or contacts features — would certainly bolster user security. All to say: when it comes to data encryption, tech companies, law enforcement agencies, and users themselves have yet to find a solution where everyone wins. "It's great to see companies prioritizing security," Sasha O'Connell, executive in residence at American University and former FBI section chief, told the *NYT, "*but we have to keep in mind that there are trade-offs." Speaking to the *NYT*, O'Connell made another interesting point, offering that, at the end of the day, the final choice appears to be Apple's, and Apple's alone. "The big question is: Who decides that trade-off?" she continued. "It continues to sit in Apple's hands." **READ MORE:** *[Apple Details Plans to Beef Up Encryption of Data in Its iCloud]()* \[*The New York Times*\] **More on cybersecurity:** *[Twitter Competitor Shuts Down App When It Turns Out Hackers Can Read Users' Private Messages]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()