Phone companies silent on Apple debate over privacy and security

Apple's stand-off with the government over hacking into an iPhone used by a San Bernardino (CA) shooter has everyone from tech titans to average citizens taking sides. Just not the nation's cellular carriers. AT&T, T-Mobile and others are expressing their position on the unfolding privacy drama in carefully neutral statements — if at all. AT&T has released a statement asking for "legal clarity," noting that many existing telecommunications laws were crafted in a pre-cell phone era. The company's concluding comment seems, if broadly, to cast its lot with one arm of the government: "In a democracy, it is the elected representatives of the people, in this case the Congress, who should decide the proper balance between public safety and personal privacy.”

Normally outspoken T-Mobile CEO John Legere took a diplomatic stance during an interview, acknowledging that Apple CEO Tim Cook was "in a really, really difficult spot. I mean obviously what we have got is an unheralded situation where he’s being requested to help authorities deal with the security of the device...We will see where it goes. I wouldn’t know how to advise him. But I understand both sides of the issue. I think it’s groundbreaking." Sprint and Verizon have not released statements on the debacle, and did not respond to requests for comment. The tone is a significant contrast with the big consumer tech companies and their top execs, several of whom have clearly and loudly thrown their support behind Apple.