World rallies oppose FBI hack plans

Rallies were held around the world on February 23 outside of Apple stores to back the manufacturer in resisting FBI attempts to create an iPhone “backdoor” to allow authorities to access protected information.

Demonstrations were organised in about 30 cities, including several US, spearheaded by the internet rights group Fight for the Future.

“People are rallying at Apple stores because what the FBI is demanding here will make all of us less safe, not more safe,” said Fight for the Future's Evan Greer.

“Their unconstitutional attack on our digital security could put millions of people in danger, so we're giving those people a way to get their voices heard.”

The FBI wants to unlock the iPhone 5C used by San Bernardino, California, shooter Syed Farook, who along with his wife opened fire at a house party, killing 14 people in December.

Privacy rights advocates argue that the move would create a dangerous precedent for authorities to access confidential data.

[Reprinted from TeleSUR English.]

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