Apple has launched a new Law Enforcement Support Program which will include a number of new tools and initiatives to help law enforcement agencies and their officials deal with data and privacy requests, MacRumors reports. In a new section on Apple’s Government Information Requests page, the company notes that in addition to its commitment to complying with all valid legal processes with a team of professionals dedicated to working with law enforcement agencies, it is also now putting together a team of professionals that will providing training to law enforcement officers around the world in how to handle data requests and other related legal issues.
Apple also notes that it plans to launch an online portal by the end of the year that will allow authenticated law enforcement officers around the world to submit data and track data requests. Apple emphasizes its commitment to balance its support of law enforcement while protecting the security and privacy of its users, stating that “We believe that law enforcement agencies play a critical role in keeping our society safe and we’ve always maintained that if we have information we will make it available when presented with valid legal process” and that “Apple is committed to protecting the security and privacy of our users.
The above developments and the work we do to assist investigations uphold this fundamental commitment.”
In addition, MacRumors also obtained a copy of a letter from Apple’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel Katherine Adams sent a letter to U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announcing the launch of several new programs meant to help law enforcement agencies, noting the work that Apple has done in adopting all of the recommendations made in a recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies that outlined cybersecurity challenges faced by U.S.