Yesterday, the Justice Department filed a motion for a continuance on a hearing set to happen today. They claim a third party has found a way to get access to the encrypted information on the phone used in the San Bernardino killing. The DOJ may ultimately end up dropping the case if Apple files a motion for discovery to know about the third-party method. It has appeared the Justice Department’s motive was to set a legal precedent, and this may be a strategic decision to drop the case.
http://www.wired.com/2016/03/fbi-now-says-may-crack-iphone-without-apples-help/
It would be interesting to know, or maybe we will find out, if the DOJ had this third-party option all along or if it was truly just discovered. My thought is that they had this third-party option all along and wanted an easier method provided by Apple for similar cases in the future. I hope this resolves the dispute and Apple is ultimately not compelled to create the back-door algorithm that would override users’ security settings on their phone, as the government was seeking. Such a program could open the door for potential cyber attacks from hackers and foreign governments as well as set the precedent for the government to potentially compel Apple to activate a users’ microphone, camera, or GPS.
It absolutely shocks me that the FBI cannot crack the iPhone on its own. I am not sure whether to be impressed by Apple or terrified by the FBI’s inability to crack it.