by Jason Snell
Why Apple Defends Encryption
Over at TidBITS, Rich Mogull offers a good overview of why Apple is taking a prominent role in arguing that encryption of user data is a good thing:
Apple is nearly unique among technology leaders in that it’s high profile, has revenue lines that don’t rely on compromising privacy, and sells products that are squarely in the crosshairs of the encryption debate. Because of this, Apple comes from a far more defensible position, especially now that the company is dropping its iAd App Network.
Most politicians don’t understand much about technology to begin with, and have government officials and asinine editorial boards feeding them misinformation. The results may seem like a joke right now, but in the long run this could be a disaster. Apple is doing the right thing here. Other tech companies need to step up and join the conversation.