Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, publicly refused to create a backdoor so the FBI could access an iPhone found at the site of the December 2nd San Bernardino terrorist attacks.

The FBI had requested that Apple assist them in finding out who exactly the shooter was by creating a backdoor in the iOS system that would allow them to access the locked device.

“The implications of the government’s demands are chilling,” Cook said in an open letter to the FBI. “Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government. We are challenging the FBI’s demands with the deepest respect for American democracy and a love of our country. We believe it would be in the best interest of everyone to step back and consider the implications.”

Cook went on to say that although in this case, it would be for the greater good to give the FBI the sensitive information, in the future it could be used against iPhone users to track their movements or clandestinely spy on them.

Cook ended his letter as such:

While we believe the FBI’s intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.

Security in the internet age is more sensitive than ever. Regardless of whether the FBI would be guilty of overreach, the fact remains that there exists technology to spy on the American people. Privacy must be guarded.

Sourcing via engadget.