The tech community is currently against the notion of giving the government backdoor access to encrypted information on users' smartphones. The issue quickly became a hot item after the government started to make demands to do so in light of the recent attacks in Paris and San Bernardino.

And naturally, Apple is one of those opposing this since the company wants to protect its consumer's privacy. According to Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, he is standing firm in the company's decision. Cook said during an interview on CBS' 60 Minutes aired last Sunday that he doesn't believe that the trade-off is between privacy and national security. Cook said it is an overly simplistic view and that the thinking should be having both.

The show also reported that Cook is committed to working with the authorities to help fight against terrorism. He is determined in making sure that there won't be any backdoor access given to the government.

Cook said it is vital that every Apple consumer has his private information protected from everyone with no exceptions--from hackers to even government security agencies. Cook also emphasized how big the amount of data is on each user's smartphone.

According to Apple's CEO, information regarding health and finances, as well as intimate conversations with friends, acquaintances, family or co-workers are stored in a person's device. Aside from personal secrets, business secrets might have also been shared. Therefore, a user should have the ability to protect this information. And according to Cook, the only way to do that is through encryption.

Following these issues and a call by American presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump for greater online communication surveillance, Apple, together with Google and a group of tech companies, has asked the government publicly to stay out of encrypted data in mobile devices and computers; otherwise, it will end up compromising information security. Besides Apple, both candidates have also attacked other companies who don't have the so-called backdoor to their encrypted systems for the government's access.

Cook is recalled to have said earlier this year that Apple thinks that encryption is a must in today's world and that no one should have to decide whether to choose between privacy or security. Cook further adds that the Cupertino company is smart enough to have both.