FBI Gains Access to Shooter's iPhone, Withdraws Case Against Apple

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Posted March 29, 2016 at 12:26am by Shalom Levytam

The FBI has gained access to the iPhone 5c used by one of the San Bernardino shooters and dropped its case against Apple, reports CNN.

The Department of Justice didn't say which third party helped it hack the iPhone; however, it's likely Cellebrite, an Israeli company.

"The FBI has now successfully retrieved the data stored on the San Bernardino terrorist's iPhone and therefore no longer requires the assistance from Apple required by this Court Order," DOJ spokeswoman Melanie Newman said in a statement.

The DOJ has decided to drop its case against Apple in this instance, since it no longer needs the company's help.

The method used apparently only works on this particular model running iOS 9, so it's unclear whether the DOJ plans to withdraw its case against Apple in New York.

Apple had refused to help the FBI build a backdoor into the iPhone and was set to face off against the agency in court when the Justice Department postponed the hearing after a third party demonstrated a method of unlocking the device.

It's unlikely that this is the end of the battle over the security and privacy of our smartphones. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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FBI Gains Access to Shooter's iPhone, Withdraws Case Against Apple

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Guest - March 29, 2016 at 4:28pm

Well now you take the chip out, how they recover hard drives that go bad I believe.

stevenlacross - March 29, 2016 at 1:02pm

The developments in this case are certainly noteworthy for the tech industry and user privacy.

lepaka - March 29, 2016 at 2:27pm

I agreed with it 99%, there is always one point of discussion open. where is the border line? this case was clear world wide, and the next case? would it be clear? it is enough if we look down to the death penalty, how many innocents have died 'till today? that's where everything turns cloudy and once the discussion is open, will never be found a ground sence to close it.

Yea - March 29, 2016 at 6:00pm

I agree with you. Apple could have notified FBI "hey give us the iPhone, we will get in and let you guys know what we find"......instead they went to the media and criticized the FBI for just asking! Apple is focusing heavily on media optics in this matter.

curtixman - March 31, 2016 at 10:55pm

@Timmayy they did. Several times.

Guest - March 29, 2016 at 4:58am

Watch the company sue, to try and find out how they got access.

Butterspider - March 29, 2016 at 12:52am

I saw a news clip a few weeks ago with the head of the CIA saying that the US had the best hackers in the world in its employ...... Guess he was wrong. This is embarrassing.

Yea - March 29, 2016 at 2:33am

So following your logic....ur saying San Bernardino, a confirmed terrorist attack, was not a crisis?

Star - March 29, 2016 at 4:56am

Considering how many guns shots go off in san bernardino with no recognition, simple, yes.

AverageReviewer - March 29, 2016 at 12:42am

I hope Apple counter sues or whatever they can do in retaliation.

JuergenWest - March 29, 2016 at 12:32am

And.. Finds nothing.. Admits was failed ploy to get Apple to build them a back door for precedent.