California Assemblyman Wants Backdoor On Cellphone Encryption For Law Enforcement

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A California Assemblyman wants to allow law enforcement to decrypt cellphones in the name of fighting crime.

This week, the NFL has been working with Bay Area authorities to crack down on human trafficking, resulting in the arrests of several people, including a Sacramento woman. Even with the busts, it can be hard to prosecute the sex traffickers.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) has proposed legislation that would make it easier for law enforcement to decrypt cellphones to reveal potential evidence.

"With probable cause, law enforcement can get a search warrant for your iCloud, computer, so the only thing exempt is a phone?" he said.

Apple began encrypting its phone a few years ago, and CEO Tim Cook says the company's security prevents it from being able to decrypt a user's phone. He told 60 minutes that access goes both ways.

"The reality is, if you put a backdoor in, that backdoor is for everybody, good guys and back guys," he said.

When asked about that argument, Cooper said otherwise.

"To get the information you have to have the phone. Someone can't download your information, and also the warrants are very specific as far as what you can have," he said.

How hard is it to decrypt without a password?

"It's very hard, takes much more time to find out what algorithm is using," said Jun Dai, a cybersecurity at Sacramento State.

As a former captain on the sex crimes task force, Cooper says his mission is personal.

"My question is, what is the other option? You just walk away?" he said.

The bill moves to committee hearings before heading to a full vote.