Apple CEO Tim Cook. Cook released a statement earlier this week explaining his position in the Apple/FBI controversy.  Stephen Lam/ Getty Images

The Dispatch, Episode 3: Apple and the FBI

Molly Wood Feb 18, 2016
Apple CEO Tim Cook. Cook released a statement earlier this week explaining his position in the Apple/FBI controversy.  Stephen Lam/ Getty Images

This week, one story dominated the world of tech and business: Apple vs. the FBI. So, I called up the always insightful Tom Merritt, host of Daily Tech News Show, to talk about what a watershed moment this is in the conversation between law enforcement and the tech community. We also talked about the options for consumers looking for the most private communication platform out there. Hint: it’s probably not Android, and maybe it’s too bad that Microsoft is quickly backing out of the mobile game. BlackBerry anyone?

Some interesting reading on this front: the Daily Beast report that Apple unlocked iPhones for the authorities 70 times before it drew this week’s line in the sand.

Also this week, the FCC put the cable industry on notice that the $20 billion a year, cable box rental game (racket? relic?) might be coming to an end … and my painful discovery that I’m an app hoarder. Please, listen and enjoy!

Oh, and I skipped the book recommendation this week. I’m still deep in the Mongoliad Cycle, but here’s a wonderful long read from Wonkblog on tipping — why it’s wrong,  doesn’t work, and we should all stop doing it. Argue it out with me in the comments, but first know this: the headline of the article is, “I dare you to read this and still feel good about tipping.”

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.