FBI Access to iOS to 'Pave Way' for Every Gov't to Break Into Any Device

Forcing Apple to weaken the encryption of the iPhone involved in a terrorism probe would create the so-called FBIos, a precedent letting government access any device, the Pirate Party of New Zealand, advocating human rights in the digital age, told Sputnik Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A legal battle is unfolding between US law enforcement and Apple over a court order obtained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to unlock the iPhone used by the San Bernardino shooter, to examine the device for potential Islamist contacts, while Apple claims the move could open all its telephones to government spying.

"A court decision to force Apple to create the FBIos would mean that there is a master key for all iPhones, iPads and iPod touch," the party's treasurer, Andrew McPherson, said.

McPherson stressed that every government in the world would have the ability to unlock any iOS device if its owner was suspected of the slightest offense, and it would also mean that criminals would also have an easy access to those devices.

"We can expect that this would mean that each and every country which has a police force will soon be breaking the security of iOS devices for offences as trivial as chewing gum in Singapore," he added.

According to McPherson, such "FBIos" would mean no more trust to Apple devices for personal and health data, banking arrangements, online banking apps, or cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Litecoin or Dogecoin.

The FBI is investigating the December shooting, in which US-born Rizwan Farook and his Pakistani wife Tashfeen Malik attacked the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, killing 14 people and injuring more than two dozen others.