DOJ says Apple is 'not above the law,' moves to compel compliance with iPhone order
Saying that Apple has repudiated a federal court order and made misleading statements about what the impact of compliance would be, federal prosecutors on Friday filed a motion to compel the company to unlock a killer’s iPhone.
Apple is “not above the law,” the Department of Justice said. And, contrary to what a public letter from chief executive Tim Cook contends, the feds say providing access to an encrypted iPhone used by a shooter in the San Bernardino attack that killed 14 people and injured 22 in December would not threaten the security of iPhones used by others, reports the Los Angeles Times (sub. req.).
“Apple’s current refusal to comply with the court order’s order, despite the technical feasibility of doing so, instead appears to be based on its concern for its business model and public brand marketing strategy,” the DOJ wrote in its filing.
Reuters and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) also have stories.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Apple opposes judge’s order to unlock killer’s iPhone, says FBI is misusing the All Writs Act”
