Apple rehires prominent security pro to deliver even more powerful security features

“Apple Inc., which has resisted pressure from U.S. law enforcement to unlock encrypted iPhones, this month rehired a top expert in practical cryptography to bring more powerful security features to a wide range of consumer products,” Joseph Menn reports for Reuters. “Jon Callas, who co-founded several well-respected secure communications companies including PGP Corp, Silent Circle and Blackphone, rejoined Apple in May, an Apple spokesman said. Callas had worked at Apple in the 1990s and again between 2009 and 2011, when he designed an encryption system to protect data stored on a Macintosh computer.”

“The Cupertino, California-based company has clashed with the U.S. government over whether Apple should help law enforcement access encrypted customer information stored on its devices,” Menn reports. “Callas has said he is against companies being compelled by law enforcement to break into their own encrypted products. But he has also said he supports a compromise proposal under which law enforcement officials with a court order can take advantage of undisclosed software vulnerabilities to hack into tech systems, as long as they disclose the vulnerabilities afterwards so they can be patched.”

“Callas’ return to Apple shows how encrypted communications are going mainstream,” Menn reports. “Apple has said it would continue to increase the security of its products.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Apple = security and privacy. Knockoff peddlers like Google, Samsung, Lenovo, Xiaomi, Huawei etcetera: Not so much.



  1. Gosh Apple has clashed with their government, what a surprise, better to ask who hasn’t clashed with the government, it would be a shorter list.

    “The FBI and law enforcement maintain that tech companies need to help the government hunt criminals.” I think exceptions can be made when the government is criminal. Need some hints, look for governments that invade others, remove human rights from others, bomb hospitals. Oh I’m sure they will have laws to put them above any prosecution but they’ll have to look far and wide for any semblance of ethics and/or morality.

    Apple is moving to operate from a global perspective, that’s sure gonna be a threat to those who are a threat to the free and civilized world.

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