PHOTOS: Protesters Gather to Support Apple in FBI iPhone Fight

Concerned iPhone users and digital security supporters banned together on Tuesday, holding protests in most l U.S. cities to support Apple tree in its iPhone encryption fight with the FBI.

The protests came one calendar week after a Los Angeles District Court judge ruled that the tech titan must assist the U.South. government in the search of an iPhone 5c endemic by San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook. Protesters opposed to the government'south demand carried banners and iPhone-shaped signs maxim things like "FBI: Don't Break Our Phones" and "Secure Phones Salve Lives."

Apple protest

The rallies, called for by digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future and supported past other activist organizations like Need Progress and Ideology, took place in cities across the country, from Anchorage, Alaska to New York City. PCMag's Paul Maljak was on the ground at Apple'south flagship Fifth Artery store in New York City, where he said a dozen or so protestors braved wind and pelting to show back up for Apple tree while kept within law barricades.

Apple protest

"People are rallying at Apple stores considering giving the regime easier access to our information also gives anybody else, including terrorists, thieves and stalkers, easier access to our data — making all of us less safe, not more safe," Evan Greer, campaign director of Fight for the Futurity, said in a statement. "The regime's unconstitutional attack on our digital security could put millions of people in danger, then it's critically important that we support any fight to keep our about sensitive personal, medical, legal and financial information protected."

Apple protest

Outside the U.S., people in London and Muninch also gathered to limited their concern virtually companies weakening encryption in response to government pressure.

"Apple's stand up will help keep security threats at bay," Demand Progress Executive Director David Segal said in a argument. "But nosotros will all be less safe if the FBI succeeds. Our devices will become more vulnerable and the sensitive data they hold volition be more attainable to people who desire it for malicious purposes."

Not everyone agrees. In a recent Pew Research Center study, 51 percent of respondents said Apple should unlock the iPhone; just 38 percentage think the visitor should stand its ground. Many tech companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google are supporting Apple, merely Bill Gates seemingly sided with the FBI earlier this week.

For more than, see Apple's FBI Boxing Is Most the Gadgets We Haven't Even Thought of Still.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

About Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag's good on fettle and smart home products. Teaching yoga for nearly 10 years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected health products including fettle trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, force preparation machines, treadmills, and more. Angela likewise tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, merely to name a few.