Justice Department Postpones Hearing With Apple After Discovering 'Possible Method' to Unlock iPhone

The Justice Department has requested and been granted a postponement of its hearing with Apple after discovering a method that could be used to unlock the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters.

The FBI previously claimed that they had no way to unlock the phone despite security experts including Edward Snowden describing multiple methods that could be used to gain access to the device.

Now just before it was set to face Apple in court, it appears to have found a way, reports Politico.


"On Sunday, March 20, 2016, an outside party demonstrated to the FBI a possible method for unlocking Farook's iPhone," federal prosecutors said in a filing Monday afternoon. "Testing is required to determine whether it is a viable method that will not compromise data on Farook's iPhone. If the method is viable, it should eliminate the need for the assistance from Apple Inc. ("Apple") set forth in the All Writs Act Order in this case."

"Accordingly, to provide time for testing the method, the government hereby requests that the hearing set for March 22, 2016 be vacated," government lawyers wrote.

Earlier today, Apple CEO Tim Cook told customers that the company would fight to protect their right to privacy and security. Many major technology companies filed briefs in support of Apple including Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft.

It's unclear who demonstrated this unlocking method to the FBI. Perhaps it was the NSA. In a video appearance at the Common Cause Blueprint for a Great Democracy conference, Snowden said, "The FBI says Apple has the 'exclusive technical means' to unlock the phone. Respectfully, that's bullshit." He also just tweeted, "Every credible expert knew there were alternative means. That #FBI went so far on so little demonstrated a disregard of facts: bad faith."


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