Apple Rehires Security Expert Jon Callas as Encryption Battle Continues

Apple has rehired security expert Jon Callas to bring more powerful encryption and security features to its devices, reports Reuters.

An Apple spokesperson confirmed that Callas rejoined the company in May. He previously worked at Apple in the 1990s and again between 2009 and 2011 when he designed an encryption system that protects data stored on a Mac.

The hire comes after Apple's very public battle with the FBI over iPhone encryption which is likely far from over. The FBI wants Apple to build a backdoor into its devices that government officials can use. Apple argues that this will compromise the security of millions of users.


Callas has said he is against companies being compelled by law enforcement to break into their own encrypted products. But he has also said he supports a compromise proposal under which law enforcement officials with a court order can take advantage of undisclosed software vulnerabilities to hack into tech systems, as long as they disclose the vulnerabilities afterwards so they can be patched.

Callas has a lot of experience in this area. He co-founded Silent Circle, a company that protects phone calls from eavesdroppers and Blackphone, a company that sells a very difficult to hack mobile phone.

"It has always been Jon's dream to bring the most secure products possible to a bigger population," said Mike Janke, who co-founded the secure email company Silent Circle with Callas.

On LinkedIn, Callas says in April he started working for "I Could Tell You But Then I'd Have To Kill You and Associates" located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Describing his job position of "Personal Stealth Mode", Calls writes that "I'm not interested it talking about it. But I'm doing it, and I like it."


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