Apple ally Ted Olson urges Congress to decide on encryption

By Joseph Keller
last updated

Ted Olson, the legendary attorney who recently signed on with Apple to help in their case against the FBI, has given some of his thoughts on the case in a new interview. Echoing sentiments previously made by Apple executives, Olsen said that Congress, not the courts, should make the ultimate determination on encryption of personal devices. To leave it to courts, he believes, would lead to wildly inconsistent directions on the matter for the foreseeable future.

From Bloomberg:

"You might have one court going one way and another court going another way," Olson said. "If you do this on a case-by-case basis, you're going to have different outcomes."

Olson joined forces with Apple following the company's resistance to a federal court order compelling it to assist the FBI in unlocking the iPhone 5c used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. Olson has a history with high-profile cases, having argued on the winning sides of both Bush v Gore in 2000, and Hollingsworth v. Perry in 2013, which struck down California's same-sex marriage ban.

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Joseph Keller
Joseph Keller

Joseph Keller is the former Editor in Chief of iMore. An Apple user for almost 20 years, he spends his time learning the ins and outs of iOS and macOS, always finding ways of getting the most out of his iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac.

6 Comments
  • #StandWithApple iMore, Microsoft, Google, Twitter, Yahoo, WhatsApp, RepTedLieu, and others on this important issue of privacy. Add your name to the petition >>> http://1.usa.gov/1R9A4cM
  • #effThemAll #StandWithAnAppleUpYourAss!
  • And the Trumpification of the land continues.... Sent from the iMore App
  • He's as persistent as the petition guy.
  • I am a hard-core and loyal Apple consumer and was firmly on Apple's side in this case until I learned Apple hired Ted Olson. It's true that Olson did one good thing by joining David Boies in the fight to support gay marriage. But Olson also fought for Citizen's United in 2010 - a Supreme Court decision that resulted in the ridiculous assertion, made by Mitt Romney in 2012, that "corporations are people too, my friend." Olson has a maniacal hatred of the Clintons and has been operating behind the scenes in almost every so-called "criminal" investigation of them for over 20 years. Olson assisted his good friend, Kenneth Starr, in the years long, incessant investigations of the Clintons in the1990s. An investigation that cost taxpayers $70 million and eventually resulted in nothing except lurid details about Bill's relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Yet Congress impeached Bill for lying under oath to a Federal Grand Jury. But Olson, himself, lied to Congress about his involvement in the Arkansas Project and not one **** thing happened to him. Look it up! Olson is currently representing Citizen's United again in an attempt to gain access to Hillary Clinton's emails. His hatred knows no bounds. And let's not forget the most egregious of all - Olson represented Bush in Bush v Gore - a decision that resulted in the Supreme Court overruling the will of the people in the 2000 Presidential election! We all know the consequences of that one! One can argue - rightfully - that everyone is entitled to the best defense one's money can buy. But surely Apple could have found a less partisan and polarizing attorney. Whether Apple wins or not, Olson's $1,800 per hour fee will - ultimately - be paid by Apple Consumers. If that's how you want your money to be spent then that's also your right. But as of now I'm boycotting Apple for hiring Olson. Oh - yeah - and also because their products really starting sucking BIG TIME after Steve Jobs died!
  • He's loyal to the law and a **** good attorney. He's arguably the best constitutional attorney in the country. Sent from the iMore App