Apple and Android Security features are currently being improved, to the point that the FBI is taking notice.
FBI Director James Comey told reporters that the Apple and Android security features will put smartphone owners "beyond the law". What the FBI Director said has raised some concerns, particularly, issues of privacy.
The reason why Apple and Android security features are being upgraded is precisely to protect user's data from falling into the wrong hands. The government is complaining about the improved security, and because of this, once again, it raises some issues of government surveillance on its citizens.
The Supreme Court, for its part, has already upheld the need for law enforcement agencies, to secure a warrant and to search the cell phones of people they apprehend. The court also rules that personal information of citizens cannot be stored by the authorities without a valid and legal reason.
Another reason why Apple and Android security features are currently being improved is to prevent the recent iCloud celebrity leak scandal from ever happening again. Apple's new iOS 8 has a feature that enables the user to encrypt his or her data using a passcode. Once encoded, the iPhone's data can no longer be accessed or read by anyone other than the user. Google has announced that the upcoming Android version for the mobile phone would make the user's most private data inaccessible to anyone including the police.
There are proponents and critics on the new and improved Apple and Android security features. Critics said that companies, like Apple and Google, do not have the right to decide the level of privacy protection that their consumer's should have.
One of the proponents of the improved Apple and Android security is Tim Cook, the Chief Executive at Apple. He said that these improved security are "fundamental" to all their products. However, Apple said that they will hand over user's data if ordered by the court. Wireless carriers can also hand over text messages and voice calls and history upon receiving the request or warrant.
