Apple backs panel to consider encryption compromise

Apple said today it would accept having a panel of experts consider access to encrypted devices if US authorities drop efforts to force it to help break into the iPhone of a California attacker.
In a statement posted on its website, Apple reaffirmed its opposition to the US government's effort to compel it to provide technical assistance to the FBI investigation of the San Bernardino attacks, but also suggested a compromise in the highly charged legal battle.
"We feel the best way forward would be for the government to withdraw its demands under the All Writs Act and, as some in Congress have proposed, form a commission or other panel of experts on intelligence, technology and civil liberties to discuss the implications for law enforcement, national security, privacy and personal freedoms," the statement said.

"Apple would gladly participate in such an effort."
Apple's statement, the latest volley in the legal and public relations battle over encryption, said enforcing the court order "would set a legal precedent that would expand the powers of the government and we simply don't know where that would lead us."
The statement added: "Yes, it is certainly possible to create an entirely new operating system to undermine our security features... But it's something we believe is too dangerous to do. The only way to guarantee that such a powerful tool isn't abused and doesn't fall into the wrong hands is to never create it."

Apple also said it has offered advice to the FBI but that investigators made an error which made it more difficult to access the iPhone data through the backup known as the iCloud.

"We learned that while the attacker's iPhone was in FBI custody the Apple ID password associated with the phone was changed," the statement said.
"Changing this password meant the phone could no longer access iCloud services."
In a memo to Apple employees also released today, chief executive Tim Cook said Apple was not willing to roll back security features included in its new phones and software, which allow only the user to unlock the devices.

"This case is about much more than a single phone or a single investigation," he said.
"At stake is the data security of hundreds of millions of law-abiding people, and setting a dangerous precedent that threatens everyone's civil liberties.