Apple, FBI Witnesses to Testify at Congressional Encryption Hearing

Witnesses from Apple, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will testify at the upcoming US House of Representatives hearing on encryption, the House Energy and Commerce Committee said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Apple’s general counsel Bruce Sewell, FBI Executive Assistant Director for Science and Technology Amy Hess and NYPD intelligence head Thomas Galati are scheduled to testify at the hearing.

"The Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), has announced the witnesses for the Tuesday, April 19, 2016, hearing entitled, "Deciphering the Debate Over Encryption: Industry and Law Enforcement Perspectives," the subcommittee announced on Thursday.

The subcommittee will examine issues related to the ongoing debate concerning encryption. US lawmakers and privacy advocates have expressed concern over balancing strong encryption with the needs of law enforcement.

Other witnesses will include computer science experts Daniel Weitzner and Matthew Blaze, as well as Sheriff Ron Hickman, representing United States sheriffs.

Last month, the FBI asked a federal court to withdraw a motion compelling Apple to assist the US government in breaking into an iPhone belonging to a terrorist. Apple had refused to assist the FBI, citing broad privacy concerns.