Survey finds majority of Americans don't side with Apple

posted by Alan F. / Feb 23, 2016, 12:32 AM

Survey finds majority of Americans don't side with Apple

As popular as Apple is in the U.S., a survey conducted by Pew Research Center found that a majority of the public supports the government in its current legal battle with Apple. According to the survey, 51% of Americans think that Apple should create the "unique" version of iOS required to unlock the Apple iPhone 5c that belonged to deceased terrorist Syed Farook. 38% say that Apple should not unlock the handset, while 11% did not give an opinion.

Political affiliation does not appear to make a difference on one's opinion. 56% of Republicans and 55% of Democrats say Apple should unlock the phone. Independents are basically split, with 45% of them saying that Apple should create the software and unlock the phone; 42% disagree.

Age apparently does have some effect on how you stand on this issue. Those 18-29 years of age favor the government's stance by a 47%-43% margin. Those who believe Apple should unlock the phone rose to 51% of Americans aged 30-49 and 50-64. 54% of respondents 65 years of age and older support the government's position.

Interestingly, 50% of smartphone owners side with the government (vs.41% who agree with Apple). While more iPhone users think that Apple should bow to the court order, it was a close vote (47%-43% in favor of unlocking the phone). 53% of those with another brand of smartphone say that Apple should produce the version of iOS demanded by the feds, while 38% disagree. And by a 52%-33% margin, those who do not own a smartphone think Apple should cave.

What is your opinion? You can see if you match up to the 1002 adults questioned by Pew by clicking on the slideshow to view the results of the survey.

A majority of Americans believe that Apple should unlock the San Bernardino terrorist's Apple iPhone 5c

source: Pew via WSJ

Story timeline

This story is part of:

Apple vs FBI: the San Bernardino case (19 updates)

FEATURED VIDEO

Options

76 Comments

1. SuperMaoriBro

Posts: 533; Member since: Jun 23, 2012

pa you should run a vote to see how us phone geeks feel as a community

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 12:36 AM 3

19. CoastCity

Posts: 257; Member since: Mar 07, 2014

They did that already. I don't believe paid and fixed surveys. I am with Apple on this and it should hold by any lawful way its current stance. Sure, in the end they' ll reconcile. The government won't accept to look like it is in a weak position anymore. Hence the "independent surveys"

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 2:15 AM 14

23. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

It may not paid or anything sinister. It's just that people don't understand tech and what backdoors mean for encryption and security.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 3:26 AM 4

27. neops

Posts: 297; Member since: Jan 28, 2014

I bet your flash, the one doesn't exclude the other

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 4:12 AM 0

54. natypes

Posts: 1110; Member since: Feb 02, 2015

So you just believe what you want no matter what? No surprise, that's how most people who side with apple think.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 9:01 AM 1

29. Good-Is-Better

Posts: 105; Member since: Nov 12, 2015

It's a good thing that the majority of Americans don't support terrorism. Supporting Apple is supporting terrorism. Lets see. If Apple wins this case, be sure get more terrorist operations. If those guys have been able to use the iphone to plan their terrorist acts without being caught and now they can't even be disclosed because of the so called protecting "encryption and security". I don't even understand this delima, keeping "encryption and security" to hide a terrorist and possibly his co terrorists that are still running around. This is something that one will take more than understanding to decipher.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 4:37 AM 5

34. S.R.K.

Posts: 678; Member since: Feb 11, 2016

So that means whoever is supporting Apple, is supporting terrorism. They don't care about America or their siblings. And the ones whose supporting Apple still hates terrorist. what BS. Hypocrite two faced double standards. Dumbass morons.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 5:38 AM 5

40. shiftt

Posts: 333; Member since: May 03, 2015

That's like saying the "BlackLivesMatter" movement is a "anti-white" movement. Neither of those are the case and you need to stop jumping to conclusions. There is a bigger picture beyond this case and the sooner you understand that, the better.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 6:44 AM 0

61. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

No, allowing 4th amendment rights to be stripped is unamerican.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 9:39 AM 3

74. cripton805

Posts: 1485; Member since: Mar 18, 2012

The dumb award goes to this guy and everyone else that doesn't think the phone is a violation of privacy... The 4th amendment states "Unreasonable search and seizure". This is beyond reasonable and everyone needs to STFU and let the FBI do their job and Apple needs to comply with a legal court order and be fined with contempt. Dumb asshats.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 10:43 AM 2

84. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

Nope at max apple need to take the phone unload all its info on a usb stick and send it to the FBI. Creating backdoor and custom ios to crack phone should NEVER be put into any governement hand. Its been seen often in the past thats governement love to discredit ppl using various informations now just think what could happen if they can use this backdoor to push stuff on your phone.. Lets say lil child porn pictures by exemple. A door can be used both way so lets not create one! If you dont see the implication you are the Dumbass.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 1:52 PM 2

98. Plutonium239

Posts: 1231; Member since: Mar 17, 2015

Its not any more unreasonable than taking laptops/desktops/servers and breaking into them, its exactly the same principle.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 6:32 PM 0

71. Mxyzptlk unregistered

There's so much stupid leaking from this comment.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 10:25 AM 2

70. engineer-1701d unregistered

the phone has already been unlocked and .ost of the info taken a few things still need to be done. and again pa stop saying the phone belonging to farook it was not his it was ca state public health office phone.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 10:20 AM 0

81. MSi_GS70 unregistered

oh god this is such circus .. komedian show... another tricks only just to gain /earn money nothing else... PATHETIC

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 12:10 PM 0

3. Sriniva1995

Posts: 44; Member since: Nov 06, 2013

I love the idea of encryption, but if the phone waa a terrorist phone I want it decrypted, also I don't support the idea of a back door.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 12:40 AM 4

6. mercorp

Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

No one can say that corrupt cops will exploit the tool for yheir own gain..let alone China or even worse north korea.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 12:53 AM 5

31. Pattyface

Posts: 1658; Member since: Aug 20, 2014

That's the problem.. You can't be sure so why take that risk. We are slowly giving our rights away and most have no idea they are doing so

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 5:08 AM 3

56. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

As I have said many times, it's the owner of the phone asking for the unlock, all they need to happen is the fbi take it to Apple, Apple make a new software that easy to unlock Removes the data, on to USB, gives back the data to the fbi Then Apple put back the old software on the phone and give it back to the fbi, it then removes the software from there systems And then to end it all, it removes the software auth key from there systems, so even if the software some how get leaked by bad staff it can not be reused in any way (Fbi can also say Apple can destroy the phone if needed)

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 9:03 AM 2

63. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

This is likely what will end up happening I'm sure.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 9:41 AM 0

7. Arthurhkt

Posts: 725; Member since: Apr 19, 2012

Although I am not a American, but since government are working the same way, I could say this might be one of their propaganda in order for them to find a reason to control over everything, start from inflict fear to the people, then the people will force the corporate to follow their"government" request. Let just say if Apple had follow the government request, soon other tech company may have to follow as well.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 12:55 AM 5

12. TerryTerius unregistered

I disagree that it's entirely propaganda. They have an extremely legitimate reason for wanting to get into that phone. But of course, those within the government that want to be able to gain access to personal electronics are going to use this as an example of why they should be able to and paint themselves as only trying to protect the people. To be fair, it's difficult to know who legitimately believes that and who doesn't.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 1:18 AM 0

15. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

But they did get into the phone... Then locked it again with a new password. This is the whole problem, they had access to the info they wanted and now they're using the whole "poor victims", "must stop terror" line again to get a way into everyone's private info - that's Apple's point. The FBI are the ones being devious here and stirring up hate and anger to get their way, as they always do...

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 1:38 AM 8

33. TerryTerius unregistered

We don't actually know if that was the FBI or the police. All we know is that someone and law enforcement did.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 5:31 AM 0

17. Arthurhkt

Posts: 725; Member since: Apr 19, 2012

Of course up to now, we won't know who are the one behind all those attack, whether is truly terrorist act or another government propaganda. However, if the government simply needed Apple to unlock that particular iPhone and given the data to them, I am okay with that, in fact that is totally legitimate as it connected to the safety of the state. However the government request Apple to create a software for them to unlock the iPhone, which literally the government can just access to every iPhone as they want, this is where the question come in to my mind.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 1:51 AM 3

60. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

And now they want a dozen other phones unlocked... Surprise surprise. Next will be "we want 70 million phones unlocked... Just in-case!".

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 9:23 AM 3

67. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

are 70million in their possession? Are the 12 in their possession?

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 10:10 AM 0

72. Jimrod

Posts: 1605; Member since: Sep 22, 2014

If the FBI make Apple develop software to unlock the iPhone, which is what they're asking - do you think they'll just hand it back to Apple when they're finished? Or might they make a copy? Perhaps? Once it's made and put in FBI hands it's basically "out there" and available to use at will whenever they feel like it, on anyone's device. Would it take seasoned FBI hackers much effort to develop WiFi variants so everyone's phone could be hacked into as they're in public areas? I think Apple's point is that if they do this it's the tip of the iceberg for the FBI being able to access everyone's data at will.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 10:34 AM 0

75. Techist

Posts: 311; Member since: Jan 27, 2015

This is the problem with people who comment on things that they barely understand. The FBI has specifically stated that they do not want the software at all. They do not even want the iPhone back at all. The FBI has stated that they would be content with Apple figuring out a way to unlock that specific iPhone, extract the information, and pass the information to them. The FBI does not have to obtain or even understand the method.

posted on Feb 23, 2016, 10:48 AM 1

85. marorun

Posts: 5029; Member since: Mar 30, 2015

Humm we must not have read same news.. They clearly asked for a custom ios installed on the phone so they can plug it themselve to a super computer and brute force it. Wake up!