Et tu, Zuckerberg? Facebook and Google join Apple encryption row

Our privacy rights have taken a hit this week -- and we are not entertained. Fortunately, we have some mighty gladiators fighting in our corner.

The recent FBI court case against Apple is a threat to all of our digital lives, and Mark Zuckerberg has finally broken his silence on the issue.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Zuckerberg said:

“We’re sympathetic with Apple on this one. We believe in encryption. I expect it’s not the right thing to try to block that from the mainstream products people want to use. And I think it’s not going to be the right regulatory or economic policy to put in place.”

Zuckerberg’s objection means the biggest players in the tech world are standing together against the FBI’s court case. Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, and new Google CEO Sundar Pichai have all expressed their dismay at the decision of the court to rule against privacy.

The rest of silicon valley is scrambling to stand behind them too. Twitter has also tossed their hat into the mix:

We stand with @tim_cook and Apple (and thank him for his leadership)! https://t.co/XrnGC9seZ4

— Jack (@jack) February 18, 2016

Veni Vidi Vici! A Trinity Upholding Internet Privacy

The CEOs of Apple, Google, and Facebook have a lot of power between them. Their alliance is as large as the first Triumvirate, which saw Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus combine forces to completely dominate the politics of the Roman Empire.

What now for the future of encryption? Can the FBI enforce the court case with such powerful players standing together?

And will the new triumvirate use their combined power for good? Let’s hope so -- they're certainly off to a good start.