Question

Before posting to this discussion, read the following case study:

Jayakumar, T., & Tahora, S. (2016). Building a “backdoor” to the iPhone: An ethical dilemma (Links to an external site.) . Ivey Publishing.

After you have read the case, express your views on Apple’s stance and FBI demands using the questions posed in the case (Jayakumar & Tahora, 2016, p. 1):

• Was Cook justified in his refusal to heed the U.S. government’s demand to build a one-time access to the iPhone retrieved from the terrorists on the grounds of protecting customer digital privacy?
• Was Apple’s obligation to protect customer privacy greater than its obligation to contribute to national security?
• What dilemmas did Cook and the Apple management team face in this decision?
• How could the dilemmas be resolved?

There is no right and wrong answer, however, you must make a solid argument to support your view.

Be sure to post an initial, substantive response by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. MST and respond to 2 or more peers with substantive responses by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MST. A substantive initial post answers the question presented completely and/or asks a thoughtful question pertaining to the topic. Substantive peer responses ask a thoughtful question pertaining to the topic and/or answers a question (in detail) posted by another student or the instructor.

Answer 1

Was Cook justified in his refusal to heed the U.S. government’s demand to build one-time access to the iPhone retrieved from the terrorists on the grounds of protecting customer digital privacy?

Yes, I believe Cook was right in refusing the agencies to build access to iPhones. Tt would have compromised millions of users' data which may have fallen into the wrong hands. From private photos and videos to confidential medical and financial records, everything would have been compromised. Moreover, the company could have lost its marketing standing, reputation, and trust of its consumers which would have an impact on the business operations of the company significantly.

A consumer when purchases a smartphone or any gadget and shares or feeds his private and confidential data into the system, it is with the explicit trust in the security the company provides to its users. Breaching this trust would have impacted other mobile makers, as well as it would give an example of how a company can easily breach the data for various purposes.

Therefore, keeping all in mind, I believe Cook was right too in his refusal.