This is a back-door. Just because they have to ask the door manufacturer for a key, that doesn't make it "not a back-door".
If anyone has access to your encrypted data other than your intended recipients, that is a back door.
If anyone has access to your encrypted data other than your intended recipients, that is a back door.
There is a big difference in my view between court authorized search warrants ( in effect ), and blanket surveillance.
Can authorities abuse the former? Sure - but on the other hand it's hard to argue that authorities should have no powers at all to perform searches if they make the appropriate case to the courts.
ie in terms of conspiracy theories - those that involve large numbers of people being in the know, but nothing leaking, are the most unlikely.
However I totally agree that the recent trend towards secret courts, the attempts to remove access to a jury of your peers, and the creeping abuse of terrorism legalisation is both wrong and worrying.
However that's kind of my point - the existence of state powers of search isn't the issue, the issue is whether they are under proper control. The issue isn't whether the government can see the stuff I have with Apple, it's what's the process to allow that to happen.