Encryption

Encryption Answer Is Spy vs. Spy

Now it’s Apple’s turn to sue the FBI, demanding that the agency reveal the means it used to gain access to the iPhone of San Bernardino terrorist shooter Syed Farook.

With the latest twist, the FBI on Monday dropped its case against the company, saying a third party had provided a solution to busting open Apple’s encryption. Apple will want this information to close a security hole in its phone, which we know from the FBI case is at least usable on the iPhone 5c running version 9—the latest version—of Apple’s operating system. Farook’s phone was an older model. The technique may well be usable on newer phones running version 9.