Latest: U.S. vs. Apple over San Bernardino iPhone
Apple resistance to help the FBI obtain iPhone data associated with one of the San Bernardino, Calif., attackers pits Washington versus Silicon Valley in a high-stakes war over Tech Age privacy rights amid escalating, international terrorism.
A federal magistrate ruled Feb. 16 that Apple must help FBI agents try to get into Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone by disabling a feature that will lock them out after 10 unsuccessful tries. Farook's father has said his son agreed with the Islamic State. Farook's wife Tashfeen Malik also posted a Facebook message in support of the terror group about the time they killed 14 and wounded more than 20 in their Dec. 2 attack. The couple were killed later that day in a shootout with police.
Apple, the largest publicly traded company in the world by valuation, is fighting the order. Law enforcement, CEO Tim Cook says, is asking the company to create a new version of the iPhone operating system and install it on Farook's phone as a "backdoor" into obtaining its data. "In the wrong hands, this software . . . would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession," Cook says.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
► Apple files motion denying FBI request
► Microsoft, Google to file pro-Apple legal briefs
► War on terror comes to Silicon Valley
► Report: Apple making it harder to hack newer iPhone
► Cook: FBI asking Apple to write software equivalent of cancer
► Apple's two-pronged defense: Will it work?
► 3 other hacks FBI could use on killer's iPhone besides an Apple key
► Reuters/Ipsos poll: Consumers with Apple in encryption fight
► Pro-Apple protests attract mostly small crowds
► Apple faces 11 other orders for suspects' electronic data
► Phone companies silent on the debate over privacy and security
► Ford CEO leans toward privacy in Apple debate
► Bill Gates "disappointed" in reports he sides with FBI in Apple case
► AT&T, telecoms aren't rallying to Apple's side
► Pew poll: Public supports FBI over Apple
► Analysis: The dispute between Apple and the government is taking on tones of a political campaign
► Zuckerberg on Apple: "We believe in encryption"
► Apple urges government to drop iPhone request
► FBI director says take "deep breath" on iPhone spat
► Former CIA and NSA chief Hayden backs Apple on iPhone "backdoors"
VOICES/ OPINION
► USA TODAY's Petrow: I got hacked on a plane while writing an Apple-FBI story
► The FBI chose its moment well, raising stakes on Apple, columnist John Shinal says
► A court order compelling the iPhone-maker to write and then sign new code may violate the First Amendment, write David B. Rivkin, Jr. and Andrew M. Grossman
► USA TODAY editorial finds vital questions remain unanswered in a case that points up difficult issues about the tension between privacy and security
► Columnist Michael Wolff, of CEO's response to FBI: "It's certainly quite a melodramatic and chest beating letter, not to mention a fairly preposterous one"
► Expect the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in, USA TODAY tech guru Jon Swartz says
► It's "important to note that the phone is owned by San Bernardino County, and that the county has already consented to a search," Sen. Richard Burr says
MORE BACKGROUND
► Overview: Battle over encryption "backdoors" has been longstanding in Silicon Valley
► USA TODAY/ SurveyMonkey poll: 51% support the FBI's request to unlock the iPhone of Syed Riswan Farook
► March 22 set for hearing of Apple and FBI's claims
► Donald Trump vs. Tim Cook: The Motley Fool breaks it down
► Apple: Government changed iPhone passcode, making it more difficult to get data
► "Boycott Apple," Donald Trump tells supporters at a rally for his presidential campaign
► Tech industry is lining up behind Apple — albeit cautiously
► The Department of Justice is asking a judge to compel Apple's compliance to order that it help FBI get into iPhone
► Facebook pledges to "fight aggressively" against government efforts to "weaken the security" of consumer tech products
► Debate affects Google, Microsoft, too. Why there are billions of dollars behind the iPhone brouhaha
► CEO Tim Cook: Backdoor software "too dangerous to create"
► National Security Agency whistleblower and U.S. exile Edward Snowden calls it "most important tech case in a decade"
► Apple's help in accessing iPhone data is sought in other criminal cases
► The San Bernardino ruling could spark a renewed push for action by Congress
Ed Brackett on Twitter: @BrackSnacks.