A US magistrate judge ordered Apple to help the FBI unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino attackers by creating software to bypass its security features. Apple chief executive Tim Cook responded with an open letter refusing to comply.
What happened
- The order, issued on 16 February 2016 under the All Writs Act, asked Apple to disable the feature that erases data after repeated failed passcode attempts.
- Cook warned that building such a tool would create a ‘backdoor’ that could threaten the security of all iPhone users.
- The case drew support for Apple from much of the technology industry and criticism from law enforcement officials.
- In late March 2016 the Justice Department dropped the case after the FBI said it had accessed the phone with help from an outside party.
Why it mattered
The dispute became the defining public test of the ‘going dark’ debate over encryption and lawful access, which continues in the US, UK, and elsewhere.
Lessons for organisations
Organisations should understand how encryption protects their own data and devices, and have clear, lawful processes for responding to law enforcement requests. Device encryption and strong passcodes remain essential mobile controls.
Source: Time
Part of our Top stories archive of headline-making events in information security, privacy, and AI. If you would like help applying the lessons to your organisation, contact us.
