FBI Drops Apple Case, Helps Unlock Other iPhones

FBI Drops Apple Case, Helps Unlock Other iPhones

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Mar 31, 2016

The back and forth between the FBI and Apple in the heated debate of encryption has come to the most unlikely of endings. While we believed just a week ago that the FBI could successfully break into the San Bernardino through the use of a third party security firm, that soon went belly up and the great court case with Apple was in the process of being rescheduled.

Then, suddenly, the FBI announced that they found a way into the iPhone. Even though there will be no court case, we are still left with many questions. How did the FBI get into the phone? Was the content of the phone helpful in the case?

What we do know, however, is that the FBI now has a way to get into the iPhone of a criminal and they aren’t afraid to use their newfound power. On March 30, the FBI agreed to help an Arkansas prosecutor unlock the iPhone and iPod belonging to two teenagers accused of killing a couple, just days after the federal  announced it had gained access to the iPhone linked in the California mass shooting.

Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland said the FBI agreed to the request from his office and the Conway Police Department after the judge for the case agreed to postpone the trial of 18-year-old Hunter Drexler so that the prosecutors could attempt to extract data from the teenager’s phone.

Hiland said he could not discuss details of the murder case in Arkansas, or give insight as to how the FBI would help in the breaking into of the phone. He was able to say that the FBI responded to his request for help in less than 24 hours.

Click here to read more about the case in Arkansas.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events

  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.