It Is Being Decided If Your Text Messages Can Be Read by the Government

Governmental agencies worldwide are none too happy with some developments in the IT industry, particularly those involving encrypted messaging software that not even the vendor has keys to. Apple is one of those vendors, and perhaps the most vocal of all.

With its iOS 8 operating system that runs on iPhones and iPads worldwide, Apple has given people more power than ever before to talk privately without fear that the feds are eavesdropping on their conversations.

Things aren’t so bad in reality. The government really isn’t so desperate to know about that single joint shared by a few college grads at a pool party last week. Their reason, as they put it, is to keep tabs on the talks between potential terrorists planning their next attack. Or kidnappers, or any kind of felon you might think of. Fair enough.

Tim Cook to give the White House a piece of his mind

This week, at the White House - the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States - “tech executives, leading academics and government officials” plan to agree on forthcoming action, according to The Hill.

The summit will allow these people to have their own say on how the government should collaborate with the private sector on matters involving cybersecurity.

Tim Cook will be on hand to give everyone a piece of Apple’s mind regarding how citizens of the United States should be able to trust that their leadership only wants to listen in on convos that threaten national security.

Apple has done its part

Like Apple, Google and other technology players have taken steps to bolster encryption and make texting private. It’s something that benefits the user base under normal circumstances, but may prove threatening in situations involving terrorist planning. As always, there are two sides of the story and Apple plans to make its side heard. Through Tim Cook.

Apple's CEO has been quite vocal on such matters before, so we're particularly interested in his speech. Here’s to hoping that the feds and the private sector can finally find some common ground.