Apple files an appeal against creating iPhone backdoor, Report

Apple filed an appeal late Tuesday in its dispute with federal investigators over demands that it create software to help the FBI break into an iPhone used by one of the terrorists who massacred 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December.

Apple has already indicated its desire to oppose the FBI’s request and in a motion filed last week asked the court to vacate the decision, as it believes the government is exceeding its authority in asking Apple to unlock the iPhone. The formal objections were filed just before 11 p.m. PT (2 a.m. EST) Tuesday, just an hour before the two-week window for Apple to appeal was about to run out.

On Feb. 16, U.S. District Court Magistrate Sheri Pym ordered Apple to help the FBI unlock Farook’s iPhone 5c by creating a special version of its iOS software to bypass the security systems in place on the phone — something Apple says would set a dangerous precedent and create a backdoor for others to exploit.

It is unclear if Apple’s latest filing will alter the schedule already outlined by Pym who has set March 22 as the date for the next hearing.

Since the order was made, the case has escalated to a national debate with FBI Director James Comey appearing in Congress on Tuesday alongside Apple’s General Counsel Bruce Sewell to answer questions from representatives about the issue.

Earlier this week, a judge in New York denied a separate request by federal prosecutors to access an iPhone in a drugs case.

Agencies/Canadajournal