Despite competing against each other in providing innovative solutions for the consumers, three of the biggest names in the technology industry come together to fight for the long-term security and privacy of their users.
In Feb. 16, Apple CEO Tim Cook published a statement on the company website, explaining how complying with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's request to create software that would allow them to bypass iPhone security and access encrypted data.
The bureau reportedly had recovered the work iPhone of mass killer Syed Rizwan Farook linked to the San Bernandino incident but is unable to access its contents due to the stronger encryption that comes with the latest version of the iPhone operating system.
According to Cook, by creating this software they essentially create a backdoor to the highly secure iPhone operating system which can potentially allow other people outside the government, particularly those with malicious intent to exploit the same data from virtually any iPhone.
Moreover, since this case could become a "legal precedent", which could allow the FBI and other government agencies to demand access from tech companies not limited to Apple, both Microsoft and Google have come to support Apple in this legal struggle.
According to Bloomberg, Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith suggested that the Congress should intervene by passing legislation which would limit the access of the government to user data and guarantee the right to privacy in modern communication.
Buzzfeed also reports that in addition to Google, several other technology companies are to express their support for Apple. Sources from Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Box, LinkedIn, and Slack has confirmed that they would either be filing a brief and joining the amicus or at least supporting Apple's position on the matter.
"Weakening security in this case weakens security for all," Slack spokesperson points out. On the other hand, Tim Cook compared this "master key" to iOS a software equivalent of cancer, which has the potential to grow and spread.
Obviously, a great majority of the technology experts, and experts in the field, agree that the costs brought by creating a government backdoor significantly outweighs the benefits.