Apple has been ordered to support the authorities and unlock the phone used by Farook, who was involved in a major shooting. Next time it could be an Android-based device, and people are wondering, would they refuse to help in the same way Apple have refused. As many companies are using Google’s OS, it is wondered how they will react if they are ever in the same position – although so many other companies would also be involved.
Information via Hioshi Lockheimer states that Google would hold the same view. Bloomberg was told that; the Android boss did not know the details but felt it went away from the standard data sharing protocol. CEO Sundar Pichai believed it would set an example, but was unable to say what Googles response would be.
READ ALSO: The Former Boss of the NSA and FBI is Supporting Tim Cook
Apple does not have the encryption lock key that the phone’s owner has, so have only been able to give the FBI information stored in the iCloud according to the New York Times. Google also has strong encryption and regularly refuse to hand over information.
As manufacturers put in their security systems, and can also alter an Android source code, that is causing their system to be less secure. It would be hit and miss as to whether it would have been easier to crack the code had it been an Android phone involved in the San Bernardino incident.