Apple Urges U.S. to Form Encryption Commission

The company asked the government to create a panel to help resolve a standoff over national security.

• By Matt Holden
• Feb 22, 2016

According to a report, Apple Inc. has urged the U.S. government to create a panel on encryption in order to help resolve a standoff over national security and data privacy. The standoff started after the tech company refused a government request to unlock an iPhone used in the San Bernardino shootings.

Both sides are intent on setting a precedent for how investigations can use customer data.

"Apple would gladly participate in such an effort," the company wrote in a post on its website entitled "Answers to your questions about Apple and security".

One such commission, a digital security commission that includes technology, business and law enforcement experts, has already been proposed by Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Representative Michael McCaul.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook sent a letter to employees Monday morning, doubling down on the company’s stance.

"This case is about much more than a single phone or a single investigation, so when we received the government’s order we knew we had to speak out," Cook said in the email to employees, seen by Reuters. "At stake is the data security of hundreds of millions of law-abiding people, and setting a dangerous precedent that threatens everyone’s civil liberties."