Apple’s new iPhone 6 has FBI Director James Comey worried: encryption technology that comes pre-loaded on every device makes it virtually impossible for law enforcement to access its information without the owner’s password. The new software offers users complete privacy, but as nice as that sounds to post-Snowden America, it might not be a completely welcome development.  

Encryption software is designed to hide data in a complex code that can be nearly impossible to crack. While iMessages sent from one phone may be interceptable, only the recipient has the code necessary to unlock it.

While speaking at The Brookings Institute on Thursday, Coney warned, “Sophisticated criminals will come to count on these means of evading detection. It's the equivalent of a closet that can't be opened. A safe that can't be cracked. “

The FBI director argues that laws have not “kept pace with technology” and that this new level of privacy could come at the expense of national security.

Do you worry that criminals may hide behind the iPhone’s security features, or would they just find another way?

Guests:

Reynaldo Tariche, President of the FBI Agents Association; Special Agent in the FBI currently assigned to the Long Island Resident Agency (NYFO). He previously served in the Los Angeles and New York Field Offices.

Greg Nojeim, Senior Counsel at the Center for Democracy & Technology - a non-profit public policy organization advocating for global online civil liberties.