Apple refuses to help FBI with unlocking San Bernardino shooter's phone

'In the wrong hands, this software -- which does not exist today -- would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession.'

Apple CEO has openly refused a federal judge's order to unlock an iPhone 5s to help the FBI in their investigation of the San Bernardino shooting.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Encrypted data hidden on an iPhone 5s belonging to the San Bernardino shooters will remain secret if Apple CEO Tim Cook has his way.

Though a federal judge ordered Apple to access the data to help the FBI in their investigation of the terrorist couple, Cook released a statement in which he explained why he refused to unlock the phone.

The statement was released on Wednesday and, in part, reads: "The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand...

"Customers expect Apple and other technology companies to do everything in our power to protect their personal information, and at Apple we are deeply committed to safeguarding their data. Compromising the security of our personal information can ultimately put our personal safety at risk...

"Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone...

"The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: Building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a backdoor. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.

"Some would argue that building a backdoor for just one iPhone is a simple, clean-cut solution. But it ignores both the basics of digital security and the significance of what the government is demanding in this case."

According to the LA Times, the reason the FBI wants the phone unlocked is so they can determine the couple's movements prior to the shooting and whether they received any help.

U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker wrote a 40-page motion to U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym, reading: "The government has been unable to complete the search because it cannot access the iPhone's encrypted content. Apple has the exclusive technical means which would assist the government in completing its search, but has declined to provide that assistance voluntarily."

In its motion, the FBI said they just want an opportunity to test different pass codes and that all Apple would have to do is turn off the phone's auto-erase functions. Unfortunately, Cook has so-far stood firm in his decision against creating such an option -even for the federal government.

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