If California has its way, Apple will be prohibited from selling the current version of the iPhones and iPads in its own home state.
California Democratic Assemblyman Jim Cooper introduced a new bill on Jan. 20 that would ban the sale of encrypted smartphones that are manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2017.
If passed, companies like Apple and Google would have to to make sure their devices are "capable of being decrypted and unlocked by its manufacturer or its operating system provider," so law enforcement can collect stored data from the phone (with a warrant). Cooper said in a press conference that the proposed bill, AB 1681, would help law enforcement crack down on human trafficking.
Apple previously stated in 2014 that it cannot access a user's iPhone passwords to unlock devices that run on iOS 8 and later, which would mean that the company would not be able to sell its current smartphones and other iOS products like the iPad in California. Certain Android devices from Google also have encrypted data. Manufacturers who do not comply would face a $2,500 fine.
Of course, the bill would first have to pass the Assembly and the state Senate, and then be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in order to become a law.
The bill is similar to A08093, one that was proposed in New York last summer and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection by New York Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore). That proposed bill would also slap a $2,500 fine per device sold for smartphones that that cannot be decrypted or unlocked.
That bill is still in committee, but New Yorkers can help decide if it makes it to the floor by voting "aye" or "nay" for the bill on the New York Senate's website.
Apple and Google have not yet commented on the proposed California bill.
Source: Ars Technica
Photo: Ervins Strauhmanis | Flickr
