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ARTICLE · 12 SEPTEMBER 2012

Mobile Phone Security: Flawed Out Of The Box?

Foley Hoag LLP
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Smartphone makers are receiving an increasing number of requests from U.S. law enforcement agencies for assistance in bypassing password protections on encrypted mobile devices seized from criminal suspects.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
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According to an article in the Wall Street Journal last week (subscription required), smartphone makers are receiving an increasing number of requests from U.S. law enforcement agencies for assistance in bypassing password protections on encrypted mobile devices seized from criminal suspects. Although it is heartening to hear the article's report that companies such as Google are challenging warrants requiring them to divulge "any and all means of gaining access, including login and password information, password reset, and/or manufacturer default code" for a phone running the Android operating system, it is equally alarming to hear that smartphone makers are receiving such requests in the first place. Unless they are nothing more than trial balloons, the fact that law enforcement agencies are directing such requests at smartphone makers suggests one of two unappetizing possibilities:

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