Golden Frog, Industry Partners File Amicus Brief in Support of Apple

Internet privacy company supports Apple in their fight against the FBI, joins others in filing an amicus brief to stand up for strong encryption

MEGGEN, SWITZERLAND – March 3, 2016 – Golden Frog and sister company Data Foundry, along with several other organizations, announced today they have filed an amicus brief in the Apple versus FBI case. The brief was submitted to a California court in support of Apple, and reflects the companies’ commitment to online privacy and security, and the belief that everyone has the right to protect themselves with strong encryption.

“This has the potential to be a landmark case, which could set a precedent for privacy rights going forward,” said Sunday Yokubaitis, president of Golden Frog. “Encryption is the Second Amendment for the Internet, and we strongly support Apple and their efforts to fight the FBI’s requested encryption backdoor. We submitted this amicus brief to show our support, and to fight for the strong encryption that is so essential to Internet users across the country.”

This filing comes in response to the widely-publicized ruling, in which the United States government demanded Apple provide access into an encrypted iPhone to aid their efforts in the San Bernardino terrorist case.

Golden Frog asserts three main points in their filing. First, that the use of the All Writs Act is too expansive, and contradicts limitations Congress previously put into place to govern how law enforcement can compel companies to assist in their investigations. Second, the All Writs Act cannot create new authority in contradiction to the existing Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), nor can it make an exception to CALEA and compel companies to break encryption. Third, the way the case was conducted, and the urgency with which it was conducted, disregarded due process. Additionally, Golden Frog argues the ruling would have huge and devastating implications on small businesses across the country who could not afford the additional costs to build new technologies at the request of the government.

Golden Frog and Data Foundry joined with several other organizations in submitting this filing. These companies include: AVG Technologies, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the Internet Association, the Internet Infrastructure Coalition (“i2Coalition”), and TechNet. Many other companies and rights groups around the country have submitted separate briefs in support of Apple.

You can access full text of the filing here: /blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Amicus-Brief_Golden-Frog.pdf

You can read Golden Frog’s stance on the Apple v. FBI issue here: /blog/we-agree-with-apple-we-cant-set-the-precedent-of-an-iphone-backdoor

About Golden Frog

Golden Frog is a global service provider committed to developing applications and services that preserve an open and secure Internet, a mission that continues to grow in importance as users across the world face privacy threats. With users in over 195 countries, Golden Frog owns and operates server clusters in North America, Europe, South America, Asia and Oceania. Golden Frog owns and manages 100% of its own servers, hardware and global network to ensure the highest levels of security, privacy and service delivery. Golden Frog offers a comprehensive reseller program that provides the best VPN service and deals to resellers and their customers. The company also offers VyprVPN for Business to protect company communications, identity and data, and secure employees’ Internet connections in the office or on the road.

Learn more about Golden Frog’s vision for a free and open Internet by reading our “Peace, Prosperity and the Case for the Open Internet” vision paper located at www.vyprvpn.com/vision