Ted Poe: “Benjamin Franklin said: ``Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve…”

“Benjamin Franklin said: ``Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.'' A Federal judge now has ordered that Apple take an unprecedented step developing a backdoor key for an iPhone. The software that the government is demanding does not exist. It would have to be created from scratch. The government wants the golden key to crack this phone. Such a key could be used to crack all other phones in the future. Giving a master key for the government to access any phone of any citizen at any time without their knowledge violates the right of privacy. Americans' constitutional right of privacy is under attack by the spying eyes of a powerful government. My legislation, H.R. 2233, End Warrantless Surveillance of Americans Act, specifically prohibits the government from either mandating or requesting that a backdoor key be installed in the private phones of citizens. Mr. Speaker, privacy must not be sacrificed on the altar of temporary safety and false security. And that is just the way it is. ____________________”