Apple isn't going to sue the FBI to find out how it unlocked that iPhone 5c
Despite sharing its information with a select number of senators, the FBI still hasn't told Apple how it managed to hack into the San Bernardino suspect's iPhone 5c. Despite this posing a possible security threat for iPhone users, however, Apple lawyers confirmed that that company isn't going to sue the FBI in order to learn its method.
This doesn’t work on a 6s, doesn’t work in a 5s, and so we have a tool that works on a narrow slice of phones.
- FBI Director James CoomeyThe news comes from ZDNet, and indeed cites comments from Apple attorneys. According to the lawyers, Apple is “confident” the method used by the FBI to unlock the controversial handset will be “short lived,” and that it doesn't affect a large number of customers' iPhones. The comment comes after the FBI itself confirmed that their method works on “a narrow slice” of phones: it can't unlock an iPhone 6s, or even Apple's older iPhone 5s.
Because of this, Apple won’t be addressing the issue through a software update, which is something we thought the company would strive do to; instead, the attorneys explained that, due to the limited nature of the FBI's method, “normal product development would see that a fix for the flaw would be implemented down the line.” As such, it seems vulnerable iPhone 5c handsets are going to remain vulnerable for the time being.
The FBI is shouting about its method, but is being careful not to let Apple hear
Off the back of this case and others, a pair of U.S. senators are now pursuing a draft bill which, if successful, would empower judges to force companies like Apple into extracting (and unencrypting) data from iPhones and iPads. The White House, however, is denying the bill public support. We'll keep you posted with further information as we receive it.
