In the recent San Bernardino attacks, last December, the government has asked that Apple hand over confidential information. FBI authorities have reason to believe, Syed Farook and  his wife, Tashfeen Malik, have sworn allegiance to ISIS. FBI believes that if they can get the information to hack Syed Farook’s phone, they can access the data without any of it being erased.

In an 18-minute window, the couple fired at people in an abortion clinic. They  killed 14 people, wounded 7. Officials believe that if they keep trying to unlock his phone, data may be removed. If the government receives this information, they could better understand why the two had attacked the clinic and when other attacks may occur.

“This is the kind of case where companies like Apple need to demonstrate that they’re good corporate citizens and comply with lawful court orders,” said Matt Olsen, former National Counter-terrorism Center director.

Most, however, disagree with Olsen. They believe that if the court can make Apple hand over the encryption code, then they can make any other phone company give up information, too. The government can run combinations of letters, symbols, and numbers on the phone until the correct match is found.

However, it can take 5-6 years to find the match. They can’t run a test on the computer, even though its faster, because they would need the hardware key that they can not get a hold of.

Kiersten Thompson, 10th

Do you think Apple has the right to keep the government from looking through Apple phones?

“I wouldn’t necessarily say Apple is right or wrong for their actions. It’s in the best interest of the company. In my opinion, imagine if someone said that you had to do something, you’re obviously going to retaliate, and this is exactly what Apple is doing.”

How do you think things will change for Apple, if they give the government the information they want?

“I believe that Apple’s company will slowly run into the ground. If the government gets what they want, they are going to put a downfall in Apple’s company. They are going to essentially create a ‘black-hole’ in Apple’s software. They’re destroying everything that Apple has worked so hard to create.”

Would you leave Apple as a customer if they gave the government the information they are looking for?

“I wouldn’t say that I’d leave because of the incident, but I’d leave if the government created the ‘black-hole’ in the company.”

How might your opinion change if you, or someone you knew, was in the San Bernardino attacks? 

“My opinion stays the same, even if my family were included in this tragedy. I would want justice, of course, but the government is essentially throwing a tantrum because they’re not getting what they want.”

Sophia Muñoz, 10th

Do you think Apple has the right to keep the government from looking through Apple phones?

 “Apple does not have their rights but I didn’t think that they are necessarily right, especially in this case.”

How do you think things will change for Apple, if they give the government the information they want?

“I think that there would not be a riot or a protest mainly because the people feel that their privacy has been invaded, even though it hasn’t.”

Would you leave Apple as a customer if they gave the government the information they are looking for?

“I wouldn’t leave Apple, actually I would agree with their decision and have faith in the government that they wont go through my privacy. If they do, we’ll be ready to sue.” 

How might your opinion change if you, or someone you knew, was in the San Bernardino attacks? 

“Obviously, if it was someone I knew, I would fight for privacy and pray that the government is denied of access.”

Alexis Lerma, 11th

Do you think Apple has the right to keep the government from looking through Apple phones?

“I think apple does have the right to keep the government from looking through phones. They have the right because they own that company and should have a say.”

How do you think things will change for Apple, if they give the government the information they want?

“I think Apple will go out of business because people will want the government to look through their phones and switch to someone like Samsung.”

Would you leave Apple as a customer if they gave the government the information they are looking for?

“I would leave Apple as a customer because that’s an invasion of privacy. Citizens have the right to privacy.”