Apple gets support from tech rivals, security experts, civil liberties group

By Steve Pak, | March 04, 2016

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Apple Logo

Top tech companies, security experts, and civil liberties supporters filed court papers that back Apple in its battle with the FBI over a locked iPhone used during the San Bernardino shootings last December. Meanwhile, many law enforcement groups filed briefs backing federal officials in their request for Apple to hack the iPhone 5c owned by the mass killer.

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During a March 22 hearing Apple will ask US Magistrate Sheri Pyn to reverse a court order it received, according to ABC News. It was asked by the FBI to make a software program to hack iPhone encryption.

The company could then unlock Farook's mobile device. However, Apple has argued that act would make all other iPhones more vulnerable to future attacks.

The relatives of five victims killed during the December 2 attack have also filed a court brief arguing that the phone could contain useful data and explain the shooters' motive.

However, the husband of one survivor supported Apple. He believes the FBI's order would set a bad standard and does not contain helpful information.

United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch suggested this week Apple is trying to change routine steps that law enforcement takes. However, some of Apple's biggest rivals defended the company in the joint legal brief. It includes many tech companies such as Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, Yahoo, and others.

However, a group of 17 small tech companies also submitted their own filings to support Apple. They include Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn, and Airbnb.

The document argued that the FBI's order goes beyond current law and could result in similar requests from the US and foreign law environment.

Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also filed a brief. It argued that if the government wins the case it will be the first of several cases that require companies to weaken security and reduce public trust in their products.

In other Apple news the company just launched a brand new Twitter account that is dedicated to customer support, according to NDTV. This expands the company's presence on social media and allows users to complain quickly about their Apple devices.

Here's a video about iOS 8 encryption:


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