During a North Carolina rally, former President Donald Trump urged the FBI to pressure Apple into unlocking devices and apps tied to two individuals who attempted to assassinate him.
He specifically mentioned the FBI’s struggle to access apps on the phone of Thomas Matthew Crooks, who shot at him during a rally, and six phones confiscated from Ryan Wesley Routh, who was involved in a shootout at Trump’s Florida golf club.
Though initial reports suggested Crooks used a Samsung phone, Trump’s comments imply Apple’s potential involvement, particularly regarding Routh’s devices. The situation raises questions about whether iPhones are part of the case and highlights the complexities surrounding encrypted apps and devices.
Apple has historically resisted creating backdoors into its devices, citing risks to user privacy and security. The company has consistently held firm that compromising encryption for specific investigations would undermine protections for all users.
Trump’s public appeal could lead to renewed tensions between law enforcement and Apple, reigniting the debate over encryption and privacy.
As the FBI continues its investigation, the role Apple will play—if any—remains unclear, but the issue underscores the broader challenges of balancing security with privacy in the digital age.
