Submitted via IRC for Runaway1956
For the past several months, the FBI has been claiming that encryption has prevented the agency from accessing around 7,000 mobile devices connected to various crimes.
On Tuesday, the FBI told PCMag that a programming error resulted in a "significant overcounting" of the encrypted devices. "The FBI is currently conducting an in-depth review of how this over-counting previously occurred," the agency said in a statement.
The news was first reported by The Washington Post, which said the correct number is probably between 1,000 and 2,000 devices. One internal estimate from the FBI puts the figure at 1,200, but the agency plans to launch an audit to get the full number, The Post said, citing unnamed sources.
The mistake seriously undercuts one of the FBI's central arguments in the ongoing encryption debate. For years now, the agency has been pushing for what critics call a "backdoor" into smartphone products that'll let federal agents easily unlock mobile devices tied to crimes. Without such access, some investigations may grind to halt, the agency claims.
[...] How did the FBI make the mistake? According to the agency, starting in April 2016, it began using a new "collection methodology" with how it counted the encrypted devices. But only recently did the FBI become aware of flaws in the methodology, it said, without elaborating.
Source: https://www.pcmag.com/news/361357/oops-fbi-inflated-the-number-of-encrypted-devices-it-cant
Also at CNET and TechCrunch
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Thursday May 24 2018, @02:15AM (1 child)
If any one of us lies to congress, the FBI, or even the local cop on the beat, we will be charged with a crime.
FBI lies to congress, and it's a minor mistake.
Hypocritical bastards.
Worse, congress, the FBI, and the local cop all lie to us routinely, and it's not even a mistake. It's just part of the investigation, and any mistaken conclusions drawn from our responses to those lies is admissible in court.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 24 2018, @03:07AM
Federal Bureau of Intimidation