Apple vs FBI: Here’s everything that has happened so far

Apple is engaged in a battle with the FBI over a court order to unlock an iPhone 5c. Apple CEO Tim Cook has already written a letter to all their customers (it was posted on the company’s website), and called the court order a dangerous precedent. The company has filed an appeal against the order, asking that it be scrapping. Here’s a look at the whole stand-off between Apple and the FBI. Read more here

FBI gets court order asking Apple to unlock iPhone 5c used by one of the San Bernardino shooters: In an order dated February 16, 2016 United States Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym asks Apple to provide “reasonable technical assistance” to investigators. This includes helping to bypass an auto-erase function that gets activated when the wrong pin or password is entered for a fixed number of times; allow FBI to submit unlimited passcodes via a computer and more. Read more here

Apple CEO Tim Cook writes a letter to all customers: On February 16, the day the order comes out Apple CEO Tim Cook makes it clear that the company won’t be be complying with what it calls an ‘unprecedented’ order. Cook says the order basically tells engineers who’ve worked to ensure that the device is secure and encrypted, must now work to weaken those same protections. Read more here

Sundar Pichai tweets in support of Apple: Tim Cook Tim Cook first found support from Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, who said on Twitter that “Forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise users’ privacy.” Cook also found early support from WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum who said in Facebook post, “We must not allow this dangerous precedent to be set” and shared Tim Cook’s letter. Read more here

Facebook, Twitter come out in support of Apple : In a statement, Facebook said, “We will continue to fight aggressively against requirements for companies to weaken the security of their systems.” Twitter’s CEO and founder Jack Dorsey tweeted, “We stand with Tim Cook and Apple (and thank him for his leadership)!” Read more here

Bill Gates appears to support govt in the FBI vs Apple case: Microsoft chairman Bill Gates gave what appeared to be a unclear statement on the Apple vs FBI saga. In an interview with the Financial Times, Gates indicated that he had an issue with Apple CEO Tim Cook’s argument that helping crack the shooter’s iPhone would set a broader precedent. Read more here

Apple fights backs, challenges court order of iPhone 5c unlocking: Apple struck back in court against a US government demand that it unlock an encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters, arguing such a move would violate its free speech rights and override the will of Congress. “No court has ever authorised what the government now seeks, no law supports such unlimited and sweeping use of the judicial process, and the Constitution forbids it,” Apple said in its filing. Read more here

Tim Cook defends stance in FBI unlocking case: Apple CEO Tim Cook got a standing ovation at his first stockholder meeting since his company’s epic clash with the FBI unfolded. He defended the company’s unbending stance by saying: “These are the right things to do.” Read more here

Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft to offer support in court: Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Twitter will all file or sign on to amicus briefs in support of Apple Inc’s fight against a magistrate’s order, which requires it to help the US Federal Bureau of Investigation break into a San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone. Read more here