Amazon has removed the ability to encrypt data on its consumer devices in the latest update to its Fire OS operating system.

The change effectively kills local encryption on the company's range of Fire tablets, Kindle e-readers and streaming media devices, leaving the data on these devices vulnerable to attacks and potentially accessible to thieves if the devices are stolen.

Kindle Fire, Fire Phone, Amazon Fire HD, and Amazon Fire TV Sticks are all affected after users accept the Fire OS 5 update. The Verge reports that Amazon forum members first flagged the encryption removal on February 21, before the change was picked up by Twitter user David Scovetta yesterday.

Amazon drops encryption


It's unclear why Amazon would choose to reduce the security of its devices, but the change is not a new development and was actually a decision made months ago, according to the company.

"In the fall when we released Fire OS 5, we removed some enterprise features that we found customers weren't using," an Amazon spokesperson stated to various press outlets. "All Fire tablets' communication with Amazon's cloud meet our high standards for privacy and security, including appropriate use of encryption."

The news comes amid Apple's high-profile dispute with the FBI over its refusal to comply with a court order compelling the company to create software that would unlock the phone of terror suspect Syed Rizwan Farook.

Dozens of technology companies, industry trade groups, and encryption experts have been submitting documents to support Apple, all catalogued on Apple's website. Yesterday, Amazon also put its name to an amicus brief in support of the company's stance.

Update: Amazon has pledged to restore disk encryption security protection to its mobile operating system after the firm reversed its stance over the weekend. "We will return the option for full disk encryption with a Fire OS update coming this spring," an Amazon spokesman told the BBC.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: Apple-FBI

Top Rated Comments

Nimrad Avatar
Nimrad
71 months ago
Now Trump will force muslims, mexicans, drug dealers and terrorists to use Amazon products. Great!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
naeS1Sean Avatar
naeS1Sean
71 months ago
lol, wow. They remind me of that nerdy kid in school that, when a bully walks up to them with a mean face, they instantly start crying and hand over their lunch and money. lol

(I was that kid)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
philosopherdog Avatar
philosopherdog
71 months ago
Their devices stink big time. Amazon is showing their true colours. Imagine all of the jobs the West will lose in the long run if this weakening of security becomes the norm. The stupid are running the world. It's getting tedious.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
captain cadet Avatar
captain cadet
71 months ago
Good move when suddenly encryption is a hot topic Amazon...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thatanonymoususer Avatar
thatanonymoususer
71 months ago
In other news, Amazon continues to use DRM encryption on their movies and books meaning that they care more about keeping their own content protected than they care about keeping their users protected.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Crosscreek Avatar
Crosscreek
71 months ago
Can't can't even see where Amazon thought this was a good idea.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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