First They Came For the iPhones By Ron Paul Apple has so far stood up to a federal governments demand that it force its employees to write a computer program to break into its own product. No doubt Apple CEO Tim Cook understands the damage it would do to his company for the world to know that the US government has a key to supposedly secure iPhones. But the principles at stake are even higher. We have a fundamental right to privacy. We have a fundamental right to go about our daily life without the threat of government surveillance of our activities. We are not East Germany. Lets not forget that this new, more secure iPhone was developed partly in response to Ed Snowdens revelations that the federal government was illegally spying on us. The federal government was caught breaking the law but instead of ending its illegal spying is demanding that private companies make it easier for it to continue. Last week we also learned that Congress is planning to join the fight against Apple and us. Members are rushing to set up yet another governmental commission to study how our privacy can be violated for false promises of security. Of course they wont put it that way, but we can be sure that will be the result. Some in Congress are seeking to pass legislation regulating how companies can or cannot encrypt their products. This will suppress the development of new technology and will have a chilling effect on our right to be protected from an intrusive government. Any legislation Congress writes limiting encryption will likely be unconstitutional, but unfortunately Congress seldom heeds the Constitution anyway. When FBI Director James Comey demanded a back door into the San Bernardino shooters iPhone, he promised that it was only for this one, extraordinary situation. The San Bernardino litigation isnt about trying to set a precedent or send any kind of message, he said in a statement last week. Testifying before Congress just days later, however, he quickly changed course, telling the Members of the House Intelligence Committee that the court order and Apples appeals, will be instructive for other courts. Does anyone really believe this will not be considered a precedent-setting case? Does anyone really believe the government will not use this technology again and again, with lower and lower thresholds? According to press reports, Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. has 175 iPhones with passcodes that the City of New York wants to access. We can be sure that is only the beginning. We should support Apples refusal to bow to the FBIs dangerous demands, and we should join forces to defend of our precious liberties without compromise. If the people lead, the leaders will follow. Ron Paul writes for his site RonPaulInstitute.org where this article first appeared. Get his latest bookSwords Into Plowshares. Image source: YouTube Lets see the phone data. Itll expose the false flag operation. We wont get to see the data for exactly that reason they will simply show us fake incriminating bullshit. 