Washington, Feb 9 (Reuters) - FBI Director James Comey (click here) said on Tuesday that federal investigators have still been unable to access the contents of a cellphone belonging to one of the killers in the Dec. 2 shootings in San Bernardino, California, due to encryption technology.
Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the phenomenon of communications "going dark" due to more sophisticated technology and wider use of encryption is "overwhelmingly affecting" law enforcement operations, including investigations into murder, car accidents, drug trafficking and the proliferation of child pornography.
"We still have one of those killer's phones that we have not been able to open," Comey said in reference to the San Bernardino attack.
Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, launched the Islamic State-inspired attack with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, at a social services agency in the California city, leaving 14 dead.
Comey and other federal officials have long warned that powerful encryption poses a challenge for criminal and national security investigators, though the FBI director added Tuesday that "overwhelmingly this is a problem that local law enforcement sees."...
If the encryption is outside the USA borders, it will require the State Department.
Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the phenomenon of communications "going dark" due to more sophisticated technology and wider use of encryption is "overwhelmingly affecting" law enforcement operations, including investigations into murder, car accidents, drug trafficking and the proliferation of child pornography.
"We still have one of those killer's phones that we have not been able to open," Comey said in reference to the San Bernardino attack.
Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, launched the Islamic State-inspired attack with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, at a social services agency in the California city, leaving 14 dead.
Comey and other federal officials have long warned that powerful encryption poses a challenge for criminal and national security investigators, though the FBI director added Tuesday that "overwhelmingly this is a problem that local law enforcement sees."...
I think tech companies can explain to their subscribers what they are doing to assist the FBI. In that same idea is the reality if the FBI moves beyond their need to access this information it would be illegal. I think at this point that is the best that can legally be provided.
Let's face it. These folks were operating without suspicion and with assist of a relative.
If the encryption is outside the USA borders, it will require the State Department.
