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66 Am. U. L. Rev. 1293 (2016-2017)
Holding the FBI Accountable for Hacking the Apple's Software under the Takings Clause

handle is hein.journals/aulr66 and id is 1337 raw text is: 








                               NOTE


       HOLDING THE FBI ACCOUNTABLE
       FOR HACKING APPLE'S SOFTWARE
           UNDER THE TAKINGS CLAUSE


                             MARK  S. LEVY*


   Smartphones have swiftly replaced most-if not all-conventional methods
 of sending, receiving, and storing personal information. Letters, address
 books, calendars, and trips to the bank have been rendered obsolete by tools
 such as text messaging, digital contacts, iCal, and mobile banking apps.
 Although these digital alternatives are convenient, they are not immune from
 attack. Therefore, to remain competitive, technology companies must maintain
 safe and secure platforms on which users may freely store and share their
 personal information.
   Apple Inc., for example, strives to protect its users' intimate information,
 consequently earning a reputation for prioritizing security. Like a king
 protecting his castle, Apple has erected a variety of technological and legal
 barriers to guard its users' data and ward off unwanted  intruders from
 vulnerabilities at a variety of stages. First, to protect user data from
 unauthorized access, Apple's software authorizes iPhone users to set their own
 passcode. Next, Apple  encrypts its iPhone software, essentially placing a-
 digital padlock on its software to preclude any software alterations, including
 the user-determined passcode functionality. Lastly, Apple copyrights its


    *  Note & Comment  Editor, American University Law Review, Volume 66; J.D.
Candidate, May 2017, American University Washington College of Law, BA. Psychology,
James Madison University. I am inordinately grateful to Nancy Turner, for her
thoughtful counsel throughout the development  of this Note, and to Lisa
Southerland, for her valuable contributions during the publication process. I also
would like to thank the talented American University Law Review staff for its hard work
and meticulous focus.


1293

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