101: The Back Door State: Who Really Controls Digital Infrastructure?

The Rise of the Hacker Class in Government

Power no longer belongs solely to presidents, prime ministers, or corporate CEOs—it belongs to those who control the digital realm, the ones who can slip through the cracks of government systems undetected. The hacker archetype, once relegated to the shadows, is now emerging as the power behind the throne. Whether state-sponsored operatives, corporate disruptors, or rogue actors, those who understand and manipulate digital infrastructure are shaping the future of authority.

For years, the battle over encryption and government access to data has been framed as a conflict between security and privacy, but recent developments suggest a more disturbing reality: the struggle isn’t about who is authorized to access sensitive systems, but who is able to do so—by any means necessary. The latest moves by the UK and US governments highlight the shifting nature of power in an era where digital back doors are becoming the norm, rather than the exception.

The UK’s Demand for Apple’s Back Door

The UK government has escalated its demands that Apple provide a secret entry point into encrypted user data. Citing national security and law enforcement concerns, the UK is attempting to compel Apple to break its own security architecture, despite Apple’s insistence that such a move would compromise all users' privacy and create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by bad actors (The Guardian).

Apple, in response, has signaled its willingness to withdraw certain security features from the UK market rather than comply. But the core issue remains: even if Apple holds the line, the mere demand for such a back door sets a dangerous precedent. Governments worldwide are watching, and if the UK succeeds, other nations will follow, eroding global digital security standards.

DOGE, Musk, and the Unseen Doors into Government Systems

While the UK is demanding explicit back doors, the U.S. government seems to be operating under a different model—one where access isn’t granted through legal mechanisms, but obtained through structural manipulation. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained unprecedented, and arguably unauthorized, access to federal systems. Treasury databases, federal employee records, and even classified security networks have allegedly been accessed by DOGE operatives without going through traditional legal or security clearances (Financial Times).

This isn’t just a case of bureaucratic overreach—it’s an entirely new form of digital governance, where those with the right connections and technological expertise can simply walk through doors that are supposed to be locked. Whether this is an intentional strategy or the byproduct of a chaotic restructuring remains unclear, but the implications are profound.

The FBI, the Loyalty Oath, and the Question of Control

The FBI, traditionally an institution built on rigid hierarchy and legal accountability, is now under scrutiny for requiring new recruits to answer loaded political questions, testing their alignment with the Trump administration. This loyalty screening suggests a shift in power dynamics, where political allegiance determines who gets access to sensitive law enforcement and intelligence data. But the real concern isn’t just about who is being let in—it’s about who is gaining access regardless of formal authorization (Washington Post).

In an era where classified information leaks are more common than ever, and where state-sponsored and independent hackers alike are constantly probing for weaknesses, control over these systems is slipping. Whether it’s political appointees, rogue operatives, or external actors, the real question is not whether a back door exists—but who can use it.

The Rise of the Hacker Class

The true power behind the throne may no longer reside in government halls or corporate boardrooms, but in the hands of those who understand and manipulate digital infrastructure. Governments and corporations are building back doors, but they are failing to control them. The hacker class—whether state-sponsored, ideological, or mercenary—is uniquely positioned to exploit these openings.

Musk’s DOGE initiative may be an example of this in action: a technologically savvy elite sidestepping traditional gatekeepers and directly accessing state power. The UK’s push for encryption back doors could likewise create opportunities not just for law enforcement, but for an entire ecosystem of actors who will inevitably find and use these vulnerabilities (Wired).

As we enter this new era of back doors, the question isn’t whether they exist—it’s who holds the keys, and who is capable of picking the lock.