Amazon Reverses Course, Encryption Returning for Fire Devices
- Company faced a backlash for eliminating security feature
- Reversal highlights customer sensitivity on data privacy
Twitter, Airbnb, eBay Join Apple's Encryption Debate
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Amazon.com Inc. will restore encryption as a security option on its tablets and other devices that use the Fire operating system, following a customer backlash driven by increased sensitivity about data protection as Apple Inc. grapples with the FBI over access to a terrorist’s iPhone.
Amazon removed encryption from the devices in late 2015, possibly to reduce costs for its tablets and electronic readers. The devices aren’t intended for communication of sensitive data, although they can be used to access the Internet and e-mail. Some customers complained about the change after they updated their Fire software on older devices and saw encryption was no longer offered.