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Police Chief Calls Apple ‘The Phone Of Choice For The Pedophile’

Giuseppe Macri Tech Editor
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Law enforcement officials across the country and at all levels of government are amping up their warnings about Apple’s new privacy standards, the latest of which comes from a Chicago police chief, who said iPhones will become the favored device among pedophiles.

“Apple will become the phone of choice for the pedophile,” Chicago PD chief of detectives John Escalante said in a Thursday Washington Post report. “The average pedophile at this point is probably thinking, I’ve got to get an Apple phone.”

Apple announced last week that users who update their devices to iOS 8 will now have all of their data automatically encrypted, meaning it will only be viewable with the device owner’s corresponding Apple password. Even if law enforcement were to obtain the data from Apple, they would be locked out via the new auto-encryption. Google announced similar standards for its Android mobile platform the next day. (RELATED: Apple Will No longer Unlock iPhones For Law Enforcement, With Or Without A Warrant)

The announcement has spawned attacks from prosecutors and representatives of law enforcement, including FBI Director James Comey, who told reporters Thursday he was concerned about the companies’ new changes.

“There will come a day when it will matter a great deal to the lives of people . . . that we will be able to gain access” to encrypted devices, Comey said. “I want to have that conversation [with companies responsible] before that day comes.” (RELATED: FBI Director Says Apple And Google’s New Privacy Standards Could Help Criminals)

Officials responsible for making the allegations have been accused of fearmongering in the media, as law enforcement will still be capable of obtaining traditional warrants to tap phone lines, read texts and search call records provided by service providers like Verizon, AT&T and others.

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the changes as part of a broader Apple effort to improve user privacy and data security. Cook said he is committed to keeping Apple from becoming a “treasure trove” of private user data for the NSA. (RELATED: Tim Cook Won’t Let Apple Be A ‘Treasure Trove’ Of User Data For NSA)

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Tags : apple iphone
Giuseppe Macri