This is the outcome Apple must have expected when they announced their encryption policy. They can now claim that they tried to do the right thing -- they would have taken the steps needed to guarantee their users' safety from illegal spying, warrantless surveillance, and unconstitutional gag orders -- but the evil government won't let them.
Pretty smart in retrospect to force the government to play Bad Cop.
Completely disagree. Apple sincerely wants to maintain its current encryption policy. It has substantial business value and improves the quality of their products. There is no evidence whatsoever that Tim Cook goes out and tells lies, as you allege, about major pieces of Apple's technology.
No one is going to ask the question that way. "Do you want to buy a less secure phone?" is exactly the same question as, "Do you agree that law enforcement should be able to access a suspected terrorist or pedophile's cell phone conversations and data with an appropriate court order?"
You will get vastly different answers depending on which phrasing you use. That's what the politicians count on.
Where did I allege that he lied? He made a safe promise -- one that he presumably intended to keep if he could, but which, not being an idiot, he must have suspected he wouldn't be allowed to keep.
I don't think attributing the sinister motive is necessary, but I do agree that's the ultimate outcome if a national law were passed. A purpose-built device integrated by a centralized company and locked down to end-users is not a defensible place to fight a battle for digital freedom!
It would be interesting seeing how this would play out with an individual state though. Would Apple make a special NY version and advertise loudly that it's defective by design, or would they kowtow to a backwards state government to avoid a legal showdown?
In particular, the commerce clause prevents states from regulating interstate commerce, so anyone can just buy a phone online to work around the problem. Unfortunately, this might have an impact on carrier stores, and many people still get their phones from the carrier. I don't just want technical folks to have security; I want everyone to have security.
Pretty smart in retrospect to force the government to play Bad Cop.