A Secret No More! Apple Slays U.K. Government's Privacy Dragon!

A Shadow of Secrecy Falls

Hmph! A strange tale unfolds in the land of Britain. It seems the U.K. government much like Sauron desiring the One Ring sought to keep secret its dealings with Apple regarding a most curious 'backdoor' to the data of iPhone users. They claimed of course it was for 'national security,' a phrase often used to cloak deeds best left in the dark. But as I always say 'Not all that is secret is dark,' and thankfully this attempt at secrecy has been thwarted!

The Tribunal's Wise Judgement

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal akin to the wise council of Elrond has ruled against the government's attempt to hide these proceedings. Judges Singh and Johnson in their wisdom declared that such secrecy would be 'the most fundamental interference with the principle of open justice.' Imagine a hearing conducted entirely in secret! It would be like trying to hide the sun behind a very small cloud. Absurd! As I recall telling Frodo 'Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.' And so it seems a few brave judges can uphold the light of justice.

The Backdoor's Deceitful Allure

Ah the 'backdoor' – a treacherous concept indeed. The government desired Apple to create a means to access encrypted data much like wanting a secret passage into Minas Tirith. This 'backdoor' would undermine Apple's Advanced Data Protection (ADP) system a system designed to protect the private thoughts and cat pictures of its users. 'Fool of a Took!' I say to those who believe such a thing could be controlled. Once a crack is made the darkness will find its way in.

Governments Grumble Encryption Endures

The governments of the U.S. U.K. and EU have long been troubled by end to end encryption. They argue much like Saruman whispering in the ear of Théoden that it allows criminals to conceal their wickedness. But tell me does one burn down the forest to find a single rotten apple? Encryption protects us all not just the wicked. To weaken it is to leave the Shire undefended.

Apple Stands Firm: 'You Shall Not Pass!'

Apple to its credit has stood firm against this encroachment much like I stood against the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad dûm. They have resisted the temptation to weaken their encryption understanding that such a compromise would endanger all their users. In response to the government's demands Apple with a heavy heart withdrew its ADP system for U.K. users a sad day indeed. They declared 'We have never built a backdoor…and we never will.' A bold statement worthy of a King!

A Hopeful Future Perhaps?

So the tale unfolds. Apple has won a battle but the war for privacy is far from over. Let us hope that the U.K. government like Denethor facing the return of the King will see reason and abandon this foolish quest for a 'backdoor.' For as I have learned over many long years 'It is not our part to master all the tides of the world but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set uprooting the evil in the fields that we know so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.' Now where did I leave my pipe?