As Apple continues what in the view of some is support of terrorists, a new national poll says that 51% of the people think Apple should unlock the iPhone to assist the ongoing FBI investigation into the San Bernardino terrorist attacks. The results come from a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan “fact tank” that informs people about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the globe. Pew is respected by AutoInformed because it won’t take policy positions.
The ongoing contentious terrorism issue has huge implications for the auto industry, which is rushing headlong into the connected car. Security versus privacy is now a concern as web connectivity and smartphone links spread across the virtually all vehicle line offerings.
On the supporting side of Apple, results were weak. Fewer Americans (38%) say Apple should not unlock the phone to ensure the security of its other users’ information; 11% do not offer an opinion on the question.
Smartphone owners are more likely than those who do not own a smartphone to say Apple should not unlock the San Bernardino iPhone. Half of those who own a smartphone (50%) say Apple should unlock the iPhone, compared with 41% who say they should not unlock the phone. Among those who do not own a smartphone, 52% say Apple should unlock the San Bernardino iPhone, compared with just 33% who say Apple should not do this.
The survey, conducted February 18-21 among 1,002 adults, finds that news about a federal court ordering Apple to unlock the suspect’s iPhone has registered widely with the public: 75% say they have heard either a lot (39%) or a little (36%) about the situation.
Other findings show – refreshingly – that almost identical views of Republicans (56%) and Democrats (55%) say that Apple should unlock the San Bernardino suspect’s iPhone to aid the FBI. Independents are divided: 45% say Apple should unlock the iPhone, while 42% say they should not unlock the phone to ensure the security of their other users’ information.
However, Pew notes that independents who lean toward the Republican and Democratic parties – unlike those who identify as partisans – hold very different views. By a 58%-32% margin, independents who lean Republican say that Apple should unlock the iPhone. By contrast, 55% of Democratic leaners say Apple should not unlock the iPhone, 34% say that they should.
The full report is available at: http://www.people-press.org/2016/02/22/more-support-for-justice-department-than-for-apple-in-dispute-over-unlocking-iphone/
