US Department of Justice files motion to force Apple to crack terrorist's iPhone
Apple's complex saga involving data encryption, civil liberties and national security took yet another twist on Friday when the U.S. Department of Justice weighed in, filing a motion attempting to compel the iPhone maker to create a backdoor to unlock a secured iPhone.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/12206-5839-2010_10_06_department_of_justice_doj_006-l.jpg)
The DOJ has asked a federal judge to compel Apple to help the FBI in its investigation of the San Bernardino, Calif., terrorist attack in December that resulted in 16 deaths and another 24 injuries. Friday's filing was first revealed by ABC News.
"Rather than assist the effort to fully investigate a deadly terrorist attack by obeying this court's order of February 16, 2016, Apple has responded by publicly repudiating that order," the DOJ filing states.
The DOJ went on to say that Apple's refusal to cooperate is "based on its concern for its business model and public brand marketing strategy."
Prior to the DOJ filing, Apple was already at odds with a U.S. magistrate judge, who ordered the company to comply with government requests to help extract data from an iPhone 5c. That handset was owned by one of the shooters involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attack, and it is password protected via Apple's iOS 9 mobile operating system.
Thus far, Apple has rejected requests from the FBI to build a "backdoor" to its iOS platform in order to unlock the handset. In an open letter published earlier this week, CEO Tim Cook said the creation of a backdoor tool to access a locked iPhone would set a dangerous precedent, and potentially lead to major security issues for mobile devices.
"The FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation," Cook wrote. "In the wrong hands, this software -- which does not exist today -- would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession."
The Justice Department's support of the FBI comes as no surprise -- this week the White House said the FBI simply wants access to just one iPhone, and not blanket backdoor access to all iOS devices. But in Cook's view, "there is no way to guarantee such control."
Apple has until Feb. 26 to respond to the U.S. magistrate judge's ruling with a filing in court.
![](http://photos.appleinsidercdn.com/gallery/12206-5839-2010_10_06_department_of_justice_doj_006-l.jpg)
The DOJ has asked a federal judge to compel Apple to help the FBI in its investigation of the San Bernardino, Calif., terrorist attack in December that resulted in 16 deaths and another 24 injuries. Friday's filing was first revealed by ABC News.
"Rather than assist the effort to fully investigate a deadly terrorist attack by obeying this court's order of February 16, 2016, Apple has responded by publicly repudiating that order," the DOJ filing states.
"Rather than assist the effort to fully investigate a deadly terrorist attack by obeying this court's order of February 16, 2016, Apple has responded by publicly repudiating that order." - U.S. Department of Justice
The DOJ went on to say that Apple's refusal to cooperate is "based on its concern for its business model and public brand marketing strategy."
Prior to the DOJ filing, Apple was already at odds with a U.S. magistrate judge, who ordered the company to comply with government requests to help extract data from an iPhone 5c. That handset was owned by one of the shooters involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attack, and it is password protected via Apple's iOS 9 mobile operating system.
Thus far, Apple has rejected requests from the FBI to build a "backdoor" to its iOS platform in order to unlock the handset. In an open letter published earlier this week, CEO Tim Cook said the creation of a backdoor tool to access a locked iPhone would set a dangerous precedent, and potentially lead to major security issues for mobile devices.
"The FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation," Cook wrote. "In the wrong hands, this software -- which does not exist today -- would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession."
The Justice Department's support of the FBI comes as no surprise -- this week the White House said the FBI simply wants access to just one iPhone, and not blanket backdoor access to all iOS devices. But in Cook's view, "there is no way to guarantee such control."
Apple has until Feb. 26 to respond to the U.S. magistrate judge's ruling with a filing in court.
Comments
Pound sand, Lynch.
One phone = Precedent = All phones/devices no longer private.
No privacy = No liberty (Give me Liberty or give me Death)
Apple has taken the correct position on this issue.
Apple is too big to fail = They will prevail.
The DoJ couldn't care less about sanitary inspection reports, they're after a masterkey and a precedent.
So they filed another whine with Pym? Like she needs encouragement. She didn't even request input from Apple before rubber stamping the original DoJ request for a masterkey software kit.
Not terribly hard to see a common theme here and an obvious orchestrated agenda.
The irony here is that this case throws the bu!!sh!t flag in the face of the NSA who's been quietly telling the world that they have everyone's data already. If that were literally the case, the FBI could walk over to the NSA and get everything they wanted without the phone at all. This obviously isn't the case, so the NSA isn't doing what people thought they were.
Apple needs to improve encryption and make it bombproof so that no one, even them, can access anything against some's will.
How about it?
They actual mentioned Apple was guilty in their eyes months before a trial even started. There was no amount of contrary evidence that was going to stop them.
That department is run by fools.
Certainly they arent after justice.
DOA is more like it.
Department Of Agenda.
heh heh... Just in case Apple tries to drag its feet?
i hope Apple digs its heels in.
Joking.
Kinda...
They'll have to since the president is a no-show on this issue and lawmakers are quite eager to destroy our constitutional protections.
"They hear everything, but understand little."