Apple vs. the FBI

Recently the FBI has asked the technology company Apple to unlock the iPhone belonging to one of the perpetrators in the San Bernardino attack back in early December 2015.  Rather than complying to the request, Apple refused to unlock the phone because the action will invade the company's privacy policy.  In addition, if Apple opens the phone, their iPhone products, the company claimed, will be vulnerable to other hackers as they can see it is possible to access the inside of the phone.  Authorities stated that Apple is acting like an adolescent and their stubbornness stems from the fear of bad publicity for their business.

Two months after the deadly attack in San Bernardino, which left 14 people dead, authorities are still in the blur on the exact motivation of the married couple who carried out the attack.  They rummaged through the couple's condo in Redlands, California and their belongings and what is left is the iPhone of the perpetrators. The phone is one of the last few hopes to understand the motivation of the attackers.

Despite how much Apple reasons on why it refused to follow the FBI's order, there are many reasons why Apple should do what it takes to open the phone.

First of all, unlocking the phone will unravel the mystery of the San Bernardino attack.  The two killers were gun downed in the battle with the police and they left little trace of the reasons why they carried out the attack.  Fourteen innocent lives were lost within a day and their family and friends are still healing from the lost of the important people who were once in their lives.

Last but no least, this will allow the public and authorities to understand the mind of not only the perpetrators in the San Bernardino attack but also the mindset of future killers, or terrorists even. The terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has given threats to attack America and knowing more information about the attack in California last December will aid the law enforcement to guard the country better. It is best to learn from what transpired in the past than to have to go through similar episodes in the future.  The past is the best teacher to learn from and we should use this opportunity to retain the lessons from it.

The future and safety of America are dependent on the law enforcement and the more understanding we have on why a killer performed a mass shooting or other unlawful acts, the authorities will have more control over on how to protect us Americans.