The FBI Now Says It May Crack That iPhone Without Apple’s Help

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/

2 thoughts on “The FBI Now Says It May Crack That iPhone Without Apple’s Help

  1. 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.

  2. 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.