Apple-FBI case: “There are no exceptions if at stake is the security of all” – The Republic

“Who has a precise idea on this issue is an idiot. Governments and the web giants are entities to which it must be very careful. But, if I have to take sides, this time Apple has reason.” Michael Walzer is 80 years old, is one of the greatest contemporary moral philosophers and, surprisingly, gives reason to the giants of Silicon Valley who do not want to allow the FBI to join in the iPhone of the San Bernardino terrorist, Syed Farook . Today Walzer, eclectic thinker loved by liberals and much heard right, theorist of “just war” which in the past had mentioned “moral paradox” of torture justified in some cases, today does not yield to any exception.

Why, Professor Walzer?

“Why Apple’s position is understandable. They have done everything possible to cooperate with the authorities, see the delivery of files Farook in the system “iCloud.” But, were to give in now, could open a dangerous precedent. Because there is a system to decrypt the iPhone terrorist preserving the privacy of all the others. the exception, in this case, is not “outstanding.” If the philosopher Agamben attacks in toto the “state of exception” that occurs in the western states in “emergency” circumstances, jeopardizing democracy, I believe that “the exception” may be morally acceptable in certain cases. But this is not it.

“But by entering the phone Farook you could maybe prevent new attacks and save lives. Apple’s position is really acceptable?

“Yes. At the moment, there are no other possibilities, as well as writes the New York Times . And then on privacy Apple has made a pact of loyalty with their customers. “

But it is not a paradox that Apple and others who stand as champions of freedom and flexibility to use potentially sensitive data endless us while denying them to the authorities?

“it is. But there is a difference. the web giant can use our data at will, as in annoying personalized advertising in ‘email. But do not have the coercive power of government. Apple can not force me to buy products. a government, on the other hand, if you have sensitive data available, can put me in jail. Or even kill. “

You do not trust the US authorities?

“It’s hard to have after what happened in recent years, see the NSA scandal, even discussed in the Congress.”

then what is today the privacy for her that criticized Bush’s Patriot Act that limited?

“Do not be spied with friends or bedroom. But, I must tell the truth, does not even bother me if they read my mail. And suspected terrorists should not have the right to privacy. More generally, for citizens today privacy matters a lot less than in the past. The terrorist threat is more important. “

So what are now the boundaries between privacy and security?

” Unfortunately I can not answer . We live in too much fluid and confusing times. But the case Apple-FBI will be very useful to understand these new boundaries. “