Government threatens to force Apple to turn over iOS source code if it won't unlock Farook's iPhone

When the DOJ filled its response on Thursday to Apple's latest brief, it took a harsher tone than it had previously. The government threatened to take the entire source code to iOS and the "private electronic signature" that is required for access to the code. With those two items, the government will be able to build its own Govt.OS and unlock the Apple iPhone 5c that was used by deceased terrorist Syed Farook.

The government is convinced that there could be useful information inside the phone, including the name of a possible third shooter than some witnesses claimed to have seen. For its part, Apple says that building the special version of iOS that would satisfy the government's request would be like playing with fire. If the code were to get into the wrong hands, every iPhone user in the world would have the information they store in their handset vulnerable to being stolen. This battle could go on until the case finally reaches the Supreme Court. Whoever loses at the District Court level is bound to appeal.

As we told you the other day, Apple believes that the DOJ is getting desperate, which explains why the government's rhetoric bar has been raised. But Apple is also in attack mode as in-house attorney Bruce Sewell called the government's filing a smear job.

By demanding the iOS source code and electronic signature, the government is trying to be cute. They are presenting this as an option that Apple can choose from if it doesn't want to build the new OS to provide the back door that the government seeks.


Both Apple and the government will present their cases in front of a judge on March 22nd. 

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source: NYPost