You know, the same thing happens to me every time the FBI takes my phones.
I really hate to defend this guy because he clearly sucks. But honestly: smart move. Your phone password and much of the contents of your phone should be considered speech and you shouldn’t be compelled to testify against yourself. That said, if this phone was government property then he shouldn’t have been the only one capable of unlocking it, which is a policy failure.
Recorded speech about engaging in crimes is often acceptable evidence. It’s probably the same with written messages.
I guess it’s up to the accused to prevent law enforcement from acquiring what they said, whether it be preventing recording, preventing police from sifting through mail or unsecure communications, or preventing police from acquiring the accused’s copy of potentially illegal communications. Which he is currently attempting.
I don’t blame him for trying, and would agree on a lesser extent that he is right to prevent self incriminating now. But copied communication as acceptable evidence is pretty settled in law by now.
“Adams claimed that after he learned about the investigation into his conduct, he changed the password,” and he “increased the complexity of his password from four digits to six,” the document reads. Adams said he did this to stop members of his staff “from inadvertently or intentionally deleting the contents of his phone because, according to Adams, he wished to preserve the contents of his phone due to the investigation.”
Sure thing, bud.
6 digits is brute force hackable in about 1 second.
Also, isn’t lying to the FBI another crime?
Clone.
Repeat.
Also, cellebrite.
Edit: if people think forensics uses the actual device that would severely hinder any investigation.
That would risk tampering, or destroying evidence.
Copies are made.
Technology exists.
No worries, Eric, they’ll figure it out for you.
I wouldn’t be surprised if at some point, Eric Adams said something a long the lines “If you didn’t do anything illegal, you have nothing to hide”.
If anyone ever takes my phone and asks for the password, I forgot it. Guilty or innocent, doesn’t matter.
