[lepton]

The are legitimate reasons for the government to be able to have files/phones opened...but the problem here is that they have completely abused their powers, authority, and any presumption of legitimacy one might have.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The are legitimate reasons for the government to be able to have files/phones opened

If so, they can go to court, persuade a judge and obtain a warrant requiring the owner of the device (not the manufacturer) to unlock the device. Since 9/11 we've somehow transitioned seamlessly and without public debate into a society in which the presumption of innocence - which is far older than the US - and the Fourth Amendment are blatantly disregarded by government officials, including the FBI director.

According to the FBI director and other government legal innovators, we're all potentially guilty in the eyes of the government, and therefore none of us have a right to secure our own property to the point where the government can't easily break that security. When do we finally say "enough"? Did I miss the referendum in which we voted to turn into East Germany under the Stasi?

[Cen-Tejas]

Exactly! I simply do not believe ANYTHING ANYBODY (ANY agency or employee or contractor) connected with the federal government says!

I still believe “a little” of what my state government says (Texas). Fortunately, the city I live in doesn’t have a government or a police department.

[MrB]

They’re still trying to operate under that assumption of legitimacy that they’ve long ago lost.

Of course, those on the left still grant it to them, the gov’t in general, because it’s part of their foundational belief system.

They even view corrupt practices like the IRS targeting with the same presumption of legitimacy - they wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t the right and just thing to do, now would they?