Claudia Lauer, writing for the Associated Press:
The FBI agreed Wednesday to help an Arkansas prosecutor unlock an iPhone and iPod belonging to two teenagers accused of killing a couple, just days after the federal agency announced it had gained access to an iPhone linked to the gunman in a mass shooting in California.
Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland said the FBI agreed to the request from his office and the Conway Police Department Wednesday afternoon. A judge on Tuesday agreed to postpone the trial of 18-year-old Hunter Drexler so prosecutors could ask the FBI for help. Drexler’s trial was moved from next week to June 27.
Not clear which iPhone / iPod models are involved in this case, or which version of iOS is running on each. It’ll be interesting to see if a case arises where the FBI unlocks an iPhone 6 or newer, running iOS 9.
“It’ll be interesting to see if a case arises where the FBI unlocks an iPhone 6 or newer, running iOS 9.”
To be generous, the FBI was frugal with the truth throughout their campaign against Apple. Until evidence arises that suggests otherwise, I remain doubtful of their claim. I’m of the view that the FBI simply claimed to unlock the iPhone in question as a face-saving measure as they probably would have lost their precedent-setting case in court.
So, the FBI will “unlock” an iPhone in a criminal case. Wouldn’t Apple, under the discovery rules, then be allowed to demand the method be entered into the record?