On Friday communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said a tool for mobile forensics has been developed. Smart phone including Apple has strong encryption technology to secure data and communications. This is a challenge for law enforcement agencies. In response to a question on encryption in Rajya Sabha he said that as part of a programme, a tool for mobile forensics has been developed, which handles smart phones including Apple phones. However the minister did not accept any proposal to introduce backdoor or a key for smart phone encryption.
The minister mentioned that India is closely following the ongoing developments in the US between the smart phone major Apple and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on privacy issues. He also revealed that they are continuously carrying out research and development activity to upgrade tools and technologies with the emerging new devices and software, including smart phones
Taking into consideration the challenges involved the government continuously interacts with all stakeholders to address the issues and implement solutions. They also take into consideration the security, service and developmental needs of the country.
Apple Inc. has been asked by FBI to cooperate with investigations. The FBI had recently taken Apple to court to force it to break into the encryption-protected iPhone of California shooters. Eight years ago,in 2008 they had asked Apple to unlock the phone in child sex abuse case in New York. During the investigation on Edward Snowden, in 2013, Apple not only enhanced the security feature but was also reluctant to help in FBI investigations. Also in 2014 Apple improved the technology such that even the company would not be able to unlock an encrypted phone. Apple’s statement is backed by Google and Facebook that unlocking would have wide- reaching implications on digital security and privacy.