FBI director criticizes Apple, Google encryption moves

FBI director James Comey doled out sharp criticism of tech giant's latest efforts to lock device owner data away from law enforcement.

This month, it was revealed that Google's coming Android L mobile operating system would enable encryption by default – news that followed Apple's major announcement that iOS 8 employed boosted encryption capable of safeguarding mobile data from even warrant-bearing police.

Now, an Associated Press report reveals that U.S. officials are “in talks” with the companies, “which [Comey] accused of marketing products that would let people put themselves beyond the law's reach.” The FBI chief specifically mentioned instances where inhibiting police access could slow investigations during life-threatening scenarios, like child-kidnapping or terrorism cases, AP said.

Apple claims that iOS 8 can protect all personal data on devices via a passcode that can't be bypassed, even by the company.