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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 24 2018, @05:32PM
FTFY:
2017
President Trump: "The Obama administration is
spying onwiretapping me."FBI: "No we weren't.
You're crazy."Media: "
No they weren't! He's crazy!A wiretap is something very specific and absolutely requires a warrant. What's your proof besides the wild allegations? *crickets*"2018
President Trump: "The Obama administration is spying on me and there's proof."
FBI: "
It was for a good reason! We spy on everybody!We were conducting investigations on your entourage due to pretty convincing evidence that some of your people were engaging with foreign nationals in a way that is not legal. Some have already cut plea deals."Media: "
It was for a good reason! They spy on everybody!You put corrupt people in high places in your campaign staff and you're now pretty afraid what the public will think of you. But you don't want that narrative getting out."People: "Maybe they should have wiretapped you after all. By the way, you never gave us any proof before so what's changed that we should believe you now? That your staff is being proven to be more corrupt than the swamp we elected you to drain?"
Media: "Also: trying to investigate the FBI just because they committed crimes is JUST LIKE HITLER!"
Comey: "Heil! I mean....Yeah!"